Dengue

is an acute fever caused by a virus. It occurs in two forms:

• Dengue Fever
• Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

• Dengue fever is marked by the onset of sudden high fever, severe headache and pain
behind the eyes, muscles and joints.
• Dengue Hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a more severe form, in which bleeding and
sometimes shock occurs – leading to death. It is most serious in children. Symptoms
of bleeding usually occur after 3-5 days of fever.
Transmission
• Dengue is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito
Aedes aegypti, a day biting mosquito which lays eggs
in clear and stagnant water found in flower vases,
cans, rain barrels, old rubber tires, etc. The adult
mosquitoes rest in dark places of the house. The
mosquito gets the virus by biting the infected persons
mostly during day time. The first symptoms of the
disease occur about 5-7 days after an infected bite.
• There is no way to tell if a mosquito is carrying the
dengue virus. Therefore, people must protect
themselves from all mosquito bites.
Signs and Symptoms
Dengue Fever
• Sudden onset of high fever
• Severe headache (mostly in the forehead)
• Pain behind the eyes which worsens with eye
movement
• Body aches and joint pains
• Nausea or vomiting
Signs and Symptoms
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever
• Sudden onset of high fever which may last 2 to 7
days.
• Joint & muscle pain and pain behind the eyes.
• Weakness, restlessness, sleepiness
• Skin rashes - maculopapular rash or red tiny spots on
the skin called petechiae
• Nosebleeding when fever starts to subside
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting of coffee-colored matter
• Dark-colored stools
Prevention and Control
1. Search and Destroy
• Cover water drums and pails.
• Replace water in flower vases once a week.
• Clean gutters of leaves and debris.
• Collect and dispose all unusable tin cans, jars,
bottles and other items that can collect and hold
water.
Prevention and Control
2. Self-Protection Measures
• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirt.
• Use mosquito repellant every day.
3. Seek Early Consultation
• Consult the doctors immediately if fever persists
after 2 days and rashes appears.
4. Say Yes to Fogging When There is an Impending
Outbreak or a Hotspot