On Saturday, Jamaican health officials said that the island had surpassed the dengue epidemic threshold for July and August and is on a trajectory to do the same for September.
A statement from the Ministry of Health and Wellness said this means that the country has seen an increase in the number of cases compared to what is commonly seen during these months of the year. However, no dengue-related deaths are classified at this time, but six deaths are being investigated.
This means the country has seen an increase in the number of cases compared to what is usually seen during these months of the year.
As of Friday, September 22, 2023, the country had recorded 565 suspected, presumed and confirmed cases of Dengue. Of that number, 78 patients had been confirmed, with a majority of the issues seen in Kingston & St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. Thomas.Â
The dominant strain is Dengue Type 2, which last predominated in 2010. There are no Dengue-related deaths classified at this time. However, six deaths are being investigated.
Treatment for Dengue
Jamaican Health Ministry infirms that Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease, usually a mild illness in which a person may get a fever, headache, joint and muscle pains.Â
Rest and adequate hydration are usually enough to see one through the illness. The recommended treatment for the fever is acetaminophen/paracetamol.
The Ministry urges members of the public not to use aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, or any of the medications/pain relievers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).Â
When used to treat the fever in Dengue, these drugs have been known to increase the severity of the disease.
