Health officials have confirmed that nine people in Cayman have contracted dengue locally.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Public Health Department say, as of Tuesday, 7 Nov., nine laboratory-confirmed cases have involved individuals with no travel history. Nine other confirmed cases are considered to be imported cases.
“The current outbreak of Dengue within our region continues to be the primary point of caution for us here in the Cayman Islands,” Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nick Gent said in a statement on Thursday.
“As we enter the holiday season, and as people get ready to travel, we continue to remind our residents to take all the necessary precautions, which includes familiarising themselves with the Dengue situation at their destination.”
The first locally-acquired case of dengue this year was reported in late September.
Jamaica has been dealing with an outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease for months. Its Ministry of Health and Wellness confirmed last week that there were 2,763 suspected, presumed and confirmed cases of dengue as of 1 Nov., with 694 confirmed cases as of that time.
“Travellers heading to Jamaica should continue to monitor the situation in the country, adhere to all prevention methods, and ensure that they are seeking medical treatment if they become symptomatic during or after their visit,” Medical Officer of Health Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez said.
Typical symptoms of dengue fever, which can manifest four to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, include a high temperature, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, feeling or being sick, swollen glands and rash.
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