DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT soi re Avenue Barngaa, Guam 96513 ‘Tekephone: (67) 3005471836: (6714725008, ra: jnveandez agave se JON J.P. FERNANDEZ Severe state September 20, 2019 Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff, ‘The Department of Public Health and Social Services, Office ofthe Governor and Guam Homeland Security/OfTice of Civil Defense are working closely withthe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nd oer local and federal partners to minimize the spread ofthe dengue virus and to coordinate & comminity- wide effort to limit its scope, ‘There are wo confirmed cases of locally-acquired dengue virus that were discovered on September 11, 2019, and September 17, 2019. The dengue virus is transmitled to humans by the bite ofan infected mosquite and ceannol spread direetly from person-to-person, Importance of Veetor Control All Guarr residents, including school faculty and staff are encouraged to eliminate mosquito breeding sies, ‘which are primarily aiicial containers that hold water where mosquitoes lay egus. Any items that hold stagnant water round homes and classrooms should be emptied to reduce mosquito breeding sites. Wearing light colored long sleeved clothing and using mosquito repellant can reduce your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes. Anyone With Dengue Symptoms Should Visit Their Healtheare Provider Be on te lookout for dengue fever! Symptoms of dengue include fever, nausea/vomiting, rash, aches and pains such as headaches, muscle aches. Also know that some patients can develop severe dengue, this can even occur after the Fever resolves. The vaming signs of severe dengue include severe abdominal pains, persistent vomiting, bleeding, severe fatigue or restlessness. I you or your family members develop warming signs, get them to the emergency room for evaluation end management ‘The risk of developing severe dengue ean be reduced by encouraging ill patents to drink lots of fluids (water, sports drinks, coconut, et.) end avoiding the use of aspirin, Motrin, or ibuprofen. Only take Tylenol and. sponge-baths to reduce fever Please do see your healtheare provider if you or your family have signs of dengue Uniform Guidance ‘As we work through the recent dengue cases, school administrators have been asked to relax the uniform policy and to allow for long-sleeve shits or jackets and long pants for the next few weeks, Joint Information Center For more information, the public may call the Joint Information Center from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m, to § ‘pm. at (671) 478-0208/09/10. The latest press releases are posted on the Guam Homeland Security website here: huips!ighs.guam.gov, Senseramente, JONI. fro’