Update: 4:43PM MEMBERS of the public are urged to visit their nearest health facility if suspected of contracting dengue fever.
This after Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services declared an outbreak of dengue fever in Nadi and Ba with 312 confirmed cases in the Western Division since the beginning of this year.
A Government statement issued today said symptoms of dengue fever typically began five to seven days after being infected by a dengue virus-carrying mosquito.
Symptoms include sudden onset of high fever with severe headache, pain behind the eyes or eye socket, joint pains, muscle pains, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, or skin rash.
“More worrying symptoms or danger signs, which may indicate the life-threatening complication of severe dengue fever (dengue haemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome) can occur within the first 24 hours or later in the illness, and include: severe stomach (abdominal) pain, continuous vomiting, fast breathing, unexplained bruising, bleeding gums, tiredness, restlessness and blood in vomit,” it said.
“There is no cure for dengue fever. The treatment for dengue fever is known as ‘supportive treatment’, to help relieve the worst symptoms while your body’s immune system fights the virus.”
The health ministry stated dengue without danger signs could be treated at home with paracetamol (to relieve headache and fever), increased drinking of water and juices (rehydration) and rest.
People are to avoid other pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen (brufen) as they can worsen bleeding in severe dengue.
“If you think you or a family member may have dengue fever, please see a doctor so that they can assess you for danger signs. If you have seen a doctor, and then later start to have dangers signs, please immediately go back to the doctor, or to another health facility,” the statement said.
