Presently, THERE IS NO OUTBREAK IN DOMINICA. The Ministry continues its response through an integrated management and prevention strategy. This include: Preventive surveillance and control, public education and community outreach conducting clean-up campaigns and intensive source reduction activities.

Chikungunya is a viral disease, carried mainly by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and causes a dengue-like sickness. Symptoms include a sudden high fever, severe pain in the wrists, ankles or knuckles, muscle pain, headache, nausea and rash. Joint pain and stiffness are more common with Chikungunya than with dengue. Persons who have these symptoms are advised to report to the nearest health centre or their personal health care provider

The type of mosquito that transmits chikungunya is also known to transmit dengue fever. Measures used for controlling the spread of chikungunya are the same as those applied for the control of dengue fever as both diseases are transmitted by the same mosquito, Aedes aegypti. The best method of protection from this disease is to avoid mosquito bites. The public can protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved clothing or long pants, and using insect repellents liberally, and mosquito nets at night.

The Ministry of Health advices the public to take precautionary measures to prevent the breeding of the aedes mosquito which carries the vector.This can be done by inspecting their homes and yards weekly, and eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites indoors and outdoors. Keeping water drums and barrels tightly covered, and throwing out stagnant water from flower vases, old tyres, and other containers that might act as breeding sites.

Anthelia James
Coordinator
Health Promotion Resource Centre
Telephone: (767) 266 3469/3470
Email: healthpromotion@dominica.gov.dm

Dated: 28/01/2014