Madam Sheila Aryerh a Public Health Officer from the Municipal Health Directorate of the Krowor Municipal Assembly took time to elucidate into details the causes, signs and symptoms and effects of dengue fever and the need to create public awareness on this viral disease. Dengue (break-bone fever) is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people and it is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The incubation takes about 8–12 days when the ambient temperature is between 25–28°C. Once infectious, the mosquito can transmit the virus for the rest of its life. Transmission can be human to mosquito, maternal and through other means.
She further outlined some signs and symptoms of the virus which include fever, headache, body pains, vomiting and rash and severe reactions include severe abdominal pain, Persistent vomiting, Rapid breathing, bleeding gum, Fatigue, Restlessness, Blood in vomit or stool, being very thirsty, Pale and cold skin and feeling weak.
She attributed same causes of dengue fever mainly to poor housing thereby leading to flooding, low socioeconomic status and insanitary behavior of resident and therefore entreated all to protect themselves against mosquito bites by enhancing the use of mosquito bed nets preferably insecticide treated nets, the wearing of clothes that cover most of the body, the use of insect repellent on exposed skin and indoor residual spraying.
Madam Sheila further revealed that the most vulnerable groups are young children who have not developed immunity to virus yet and pregnant woman whose immunity have been decreased by pregnancy. She disclosed that in order for these groups to be fully protected from the dengue all must take advantage of the Ghana Health Service have instituted a program that give out free treated nets to any pregnant woman and children below age five.
During the call-in segment of the discussion, suggestions and questions were raised by residents comprising two female and a male. A caller suggested that the Health Officers must start inspecting homes on their sanitary practices especially throwing refuse into gutters and sanction them were necessary. Another caller also advised that the assembly must help solve the flooding situation in municipality so that stagnant waters will not breed more mosquitoes.