JIC Release No. 7 - Additional Confirmed Cases of Dengue - GHS OCD

Additional Confirmed Cases of Dengue; Community-Wide Efforts Continue

From close of business Friday through Saturday morning, the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) tested and confirmed six additional cases of dengue infection. Five of the six are locally acquired cases, meaning these individuals had no recent travel history. One of the six cases is suspected to be an imported case, meaning it probably was acquired through travel outside of Guam.

To date, there are now seven confirmed cases of locally acquired dengue infection and three confirmed cases of imported dengue infection. With the enhanced surveillance and continued timely reporting by Guam healthcare providers, DPHSS expects additional cases of dengue to be detected. DPHSS also continues mosquito surveillance to include the capture of adult mosquitoes in high-risk areas.

Dengue by the Numbers as of 2019

DATE CONFIRMED	IMPORTED CASES	LOCALLY CONTRACTED CASES

Apr. 2019	1	0

Aug. 2019	1	0

Sept. 2019	1	7

TOTAL AS OF Sept. 21, 2019	3	7

Community-Wide Efforts Continue

DPHSS continues efforts through the weekend to investigate the newly confirmed cases and identify additional details to limit the spread of the virus. Support continues from other GovGuam agencies, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, Pacific Island Health Officers Association, and local health care providers.

The DPHSS Epidemiology and Surveillance Teams continue canvassing homes and notifying residents in the areas of concern to help clean any potential breeding sites. Partner agencies from

the Department of Public Works (DPW), the Mayors’ Council of Guam, Chamorro Land Trust Commission, Department of Agriculture, Guam Environmental Protection Agency, and the Guam Police Department continue to work together in areas of concern. Insecticide application was conducted at consenting homes in Mangilao today. DPW continues collecting and transferring debris to Global Recycling, which remained open today to assist with this effort. To eliminate mosquito breeding sites, DPW, working with the Dededo Mayor’s Office, removed 28 abandoned vehicles, 20 white goods appliances, and 554 tires from the high risk area identified in Dededo.

Dengue Facts

Dengue fever is not spread directly from person-to-person, it is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes.

A person infected with the dengue virus usually will have fever for 2-7 days. During the time that a person has a fever they can infect mosquitoes with the dengue virus.

During the time an infected person has a fever (febrile phase), they should remain indoors and avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

During the time an infected person has a fever (febrile phase), they should not go to school or work.

Once a person no longer has a fever, they are no longer infectious to mosquitoes. Mosquito avoidance is still recommended for everyone in Guam, regardless.

See your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms of dengue fever: fever, aches and pains, rash, mild bleeding usually around the nose or gums. Visit your nearest hospital emergency room if you experience any of the following symptoms of severe dengue fever: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, significant bleeding, lethargy or restlessness.

Help stop the spread of dengue virus

Take precautions to prevent mosquito bites by applying insect repellant and wearing light-colored long sleeved shirts and pants. The mosquito that carries the dengue virus favor smaller areas of water as found in artificial containers. Eliminating these areas can help stop the spread of the dengue virus.

The community is reminded to only share official, verified information from the Joint Information Center. For more information, visit https://ghs.guam.gov/,or contact the Joint Information Center Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (671) 478-0208/09/10. If there is an emergency, dial 911.

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

JIC Release No. 7 - Additional Confirmed Cases of Dengue