Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is caused by a virus transmitted from the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes to humans. Symptoms of the virus vary and include the sudden onset of a very high fever, headache and pain behind the eyes. Persons may also experience non-specific symptoms, such as muscle ache, joint pains and nausea.

Usually dengue fever causes a mild illness, but it can be severe and lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), which can be fatal if not treated. People who have had dengue fever before are more at risk of getting DHF. In suspected cases of dengue, if there are any signs of unusual bleeding, prompt medical attention should be sought. 

No vaccine is available to prevent dengue, and there is no specific medicine to cure illness caused by dengue. Those who become ill with dengue fever can be given medicine to reduce fever, such as panadol, paracetamol or tylenol. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), aspirin-containing drugs, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen) should be avoided because of the possibility of bleeding. Early recognition and treatment of severe dengue (e.g., signs and symptoms consistent with impending blood pressure failure) can reduce the risk of death.

The mosquitoes that spread dengue usually bite at dusk and dawn but may bite at any time during the day, especially indoors, in shady areas, or when the weather is cloudy Persons can reduce their risk of getting dengue fever by protecting themselves from mosquito bites. This may include the use of mosquito repellents, and the use of mosquito nets around beds or at doors and windows.

Risk reduction activities also include eliminating breeding sites for the mosquito. This will involve careful covering of any water that is stored, avoiding over watering of potted plants, removal of any refuge that can hold water, and cleaning and clearing of drains and gutters.

Dengue Fever is endemic in Barbados with the last outbreak year recorded, being 2016.  At the end of December 2016, there were 587 confirmed cases of Dengue fever compared to 76 cases in 2017.  There were 571 suspected cases of Dengue Fever in 2017, however no confirmed cases in 2018 although 66 probable and suspected cases were recorded.