Ugonjwa wa Homa ya Dengue Umerudi!

(AP) - Tanzanian authorities have announced an outbreak of the mosquito-borne dengue fever in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam and Tanga region along the coast.

   Deputy health minister Faustine Ndugulile said Thursday that 252 people have been hospitalized in Dar es Salaam while 55 others have been admitted at health facilities in the Tanga region.

   Dengue fever causes severe headache along with muscle and joint pain. There is no cure.

   The Tanzanian government attributes the outbreak to heavy rainfall.

Dengue Fever Awareness

DENGUE FEVER AWARENESS Dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes.  It is widespread in tropical and sub-tropical regions. In the month of February 2014, the Dar es Salaam Public Health Officials confirmed a new wave of dengue fever cropped up in the most parts of Dar es Salaam and is still continuing. The first ever recorded fever in Dar es Salaam was recorded in 2010 and in July last year. The Ministry reaffirmed that there were no confirmed death in either two past breakouts.(Tambwe M., Daily Newspaper, 8.2.2014) Although dengue symptoms, when mild, can seem flulike, there is no vaccine or treatment for the infection other than staying hydrated and taking acetaminophen to manage the pain, other pain killers of the NSAID group like Ibuprofen & Diclofenac are not recommended as they can increase bleeding due to low platelet count (blood clotting cells). Those flulike symptoms also hamper public health officials’ ability to track the disease, because official surveillance of occurrences is based on medical reports and patients may not seek care for what they assume is a bout of flu. An estimated 50 million to 100 million dengue infections occur worldwide yearly, and severe forms of the disease can be fatal, especially among children. Beyond dengue’s death toll, its impact is largely felt in economic terms because sickened people cannot work or attend school. Many people, especially children and teens, may experience no signs or symptoms during a mild case of dengue fever. When symptoms do occur, they usually begin four to 10 days after the person is bitten by an infected mosquito. SYMPTOMS The principal symptoms of dengue fever are listed below. Generally, younger children and those with their first dengue infection have a milder illness than older children and adults. High Fever, up to 41ºC Severe Headaches Muscle, bone and joint pain Pain behind your eye Patient might also experience: Widespread rash Nausea and vomiting Minor bleeding from your gums or nose Most people recover within a week or so. In some cases, however, symptoms worsen and can become life-threatening. Blood vessels often become damaged and leaky, and the number of clot-forming cells in your bloodstream falls. This can cause: Bleeding from the nose and mouth Severe abdominal pain Persistent vomiting Bleeding under the skin, which may look like bruising Problems with your lungs, liver and heart Red spots or patches on the skin Black, tarry stools (faeces, excrement) Drowsiness or irritability Pale, cold, or clammy skin Difficulty breathing PREVENTION There is no vaccine for preventing dengue. The best preventive measure for residents living in areas infested with Ae. aegypti is to eliminate the places where the mosquito lays her eggs, primarily areas that hold standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying Items that collect rainwater or to store water (for example, garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots, plastic containers, drums, buckets, any other containers, pet's water bowls, or used automobile tires) should be covered or properly discarded. Protect boats and vehicles from rain with traps that don’t accumulate water. Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use. Clothing: Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long-sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present. Apply mosquito repellent containing DEET Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old. Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios. Using air conditioning or window and door screens reduces the risk of mosquitoes coming indoors. Proper application of mosquito repellents. Mosquito Control: Use screens on doors and windows; use patio insecticides such as Permethrin (pesticide and repellent) and Allethrin (candles and lanterns. Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and closed shoes to avoid mosquito bites at dusk and dawn especial. Use repellents containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or Picaridin on your clothing and exposed skin. Follow manufacturer’s instructions and CDC recommendations. (www.cdc.gov)  TREATMENT There is no specific medication for treatment of a dengue infection. Persons who think they have dengue should use pain relievers such as acetaminophen, other pain killers of the NSAID group like Ibuprofen & Diclofenac are not recommended as they can increase bleeding due to low platelet count (blood clotting cells). They should also; Rest, Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, Avoid mosquito bites while febrile and Consult a physician. You should see your GP if you develop a fever or flu-like symptoms within two weeks of returning from an area where the dengue virus is common. If a clinical diagnosis is made early, a health care provider can effectively treat you. Kindly VISIT your nearest Health centre for advice and to test and confirm diagnosis of Dengue fever. Credit: KSIJ Central Board of Education

Watu Wahofu Homa ya Dengue Bongo

Ugonjwa wa Dengue Fever yaikumba Brazil!!

Huko Brazil watu 57,000 wanaumwa na watu 67 wamekufa hadi sasa. Hali imekuwa mbaya mapaka wanaomba msaasda wa madaktari kutoka nje.

Dengue fever unasambazwa na mbu! Huo ugonjwa ni taofauti na malaria. Unaumwa misuli na kichwa. Unatapika na kuharisha damu. Pia damu unaweza kutoka sehemu zingine za mwili kama macho! Sasa ikiingia Afrika si itakuwa balaa.

*****************************************************************************

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) -- A Brazilian official says he is considering asking Cuba to send doctors to help care for the victims of a burgeoning dengue epidemic that has infected more than 45,000 people, killing at least 67.

An 11-year-old boy is seen by a military doctor last weekend at a field hospital west of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro Gov. Sergio Cabral said he would wait until the weekend to decide whether it was necessary to ask for help from abroad.

Earlier this week, the government appealed to other Brazilian states to send 154 pediatricians to help out with the epidemic.

The military has also been called up to help fight the mosquito-borne disease that causes high fever, headaches and joint pains but is not usually fatal.

So far, the armed forces have set up three field hospitals, but a shortage of doctors has complicated treatment efforts.

Kwa habari zaidi someni:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/03/2207447.htm

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/03/content_7911028.htm

http://www.dogflu.ca/04032008/09/rio_residents_battling_massive_dengue_fever_outbreak
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20080403/VALLEYNEWS/12385335