Health Alert!
- Mark Dworkin
- Sep 10, 2024
- 1 min read
Health Alert!
Virgin Islands Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion is encouraging the community to remain vigilant as the latest data shows a small increase in the number of dengue cases over the last month.
According to the VI Department of Health’s Epidemiology Division, there were 8 cases on St. Thomas, 1 on St. John and 1 on St. Croix, although it is common knowledge that there are more cases in the Territory that are not being reported.
“We’re experiencing warmer and warmer temperatures as well as heavy downpours which are ideal conditions for mosquito breeding,” said Commissioner Encarnacion. “While the increase in cases was small, we know how easily dengue can spread and we know how dangerous it can be.”
The mosquito-borne virus spreads via the Aedes aegypti mosquito and can cause mild to severe and life-threatening symptoms. The most common symptom of dengue is fever with aches and pains (eye pain, typically behind the eyes, muscle, joint or bone pain), nausea, vomiting and/or rash.
“If you are experiencing symptoms, it is very important to go to your doctor and get tested to confirm if you truly have dengue or another illness,” said Dr. Tai Hunte-Ceasar, Chief Medical Officer of the VI Department of Health. “This is the only way we can get an accurate understanding of rates of dengue in the community.”
