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Reports of two more dengue deaths not true says LBJ

The LBJ hospital has dismissed reports by 93KHJ radio that the two deaths over the weekend — a woman and an infant — were suspected cases of dengue fever, according to Assistant Medical Director, Dr. Annie Fuavai. She was responding to Samoa News queries following numerous calls and emails to Samoa News about posts on Facebook that the two recent deaths are suspected victims of dengue fever.

 

Dr Fuavai stated that the media report by the radio was “inaccurate, as the two cases are not suspected of dengue fever.”

 

According to Dr. Fuavai, the case of a woman's death over the weekend was due to severe complications but declined to go into details, however, she assured the public that it was not a dengue fever case.

 

Regarding the infant, the doctor stated that is also not a suspected dengue fever case, but declined to explain what the baby suffered from, which led to his death.

 

As of last week, dengue fever in the territory has been upgraded to an Epidemic and Dr. Fuavai confirmed that a total of three people have died from dengue with another suspected case last week — a male in his 40s from Leone.

 

She reemphasized that the present dengue fever deteriorates very fast and urges the public to watch for warning signs as body temperature declines several days after symptoms begin.

 

She said when the fever declines, warning signs may develop and this marks the beginning of a 24 to 48 hour period when the smallest blood vessels (capillaries) become excessively permeable (leaky), allowing the fluid component to escape from the blood vessels into the peritoneum and pleural cavity.

 

“This may lead to failure of the circulatory system and shock, and possibly death without prompt, appropriate treatment. She also made it clear that there is no specific medication for treatment of dengue fever, and those who may think they have dengue should use pain relievers with acetaminophen such as tylenol and avoid those containing ibuprofen, Naproxen, aspirin or aspirin-containing drugs.

 

They should also rest and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

 

In the meantime, the Department of Health’s weekly report says that as of the week of July 5, 2015 there were 15 suspected dengue fever cases. The DOH said in their weekly report that DOH’s Environmental Health Unit continues to encourage school cleanups for all school divisions including Manu’a to prevent future food-borne, water-borne and air-borne diseases and other vector outbreaks.