Dengue Emergency Call

I had a chat with my sister just minute ago and received another bad news about the dengue invasion in our town back in the Philippines. It's been spreading horrendously in our barangay. Last week a relative of ours lost her 7 year old daughter due to dengue and a highschool student from the catholic school were I studied died also. And today my sister said one of our neighbour lost their son due to the same cause. Oh dear that made me so nervous now. Because that means my nieces and nephew isn't safe as well and I guess my entire family cos anyone can be affected. I can't remember this Dengue fever had been this deadly and worse when I was there. well maybe because population there had been increasing. I'm really worried now and told my sister that if they could bring the kids somewhere, maybe in Bacolod to my brother's house. Oh Lord please keep them safe and all the people as well. Now it isn't a thing to ignore, our  town is in Dengue Emergency Call.

What  is  DENGUE FEVER?

Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands (lymphadenopathy), and rash. The presence (the "dengue triad") of fever, rash, and headache (and other pains) is particularly characteristic of dengue. Other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.

How to Prevent Dengue?

1. Step 1: Implement community vector control programs. This is essential because the only means of preventing dengue is to avoid being bitten by an infected mosquito.

1. Step 2: Eliminate potential breeding grounds for the vector mosquitoes. This includes even small amounts of stagnant water, especially those around human habitation. Pots and old tires should be kept empty and even water in flower vases should be changed regularly.
2. Step 3: Stay out of areas where dengue is endemic. This is not a very practical means of prevention because this would include most sub-temperate areas of the world. Apply mosquito repellents containing N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) to the skin when outside in these areas. Spray an insecticide containing permethrin to protective clothing.
3. Step 4: Remain indoors as much as possible in rooms with air conditioning or effective screening. Use indoor insect repellents. Mosquito netting at night is not a deterrent because Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day.
4. Step 5: Monitor the progress on dengue vaccines. A safe vaccine has been developed and is undergoing clinical trials. An effective vaccine will need to provide immunity to all four serologic types of the dengue virus.