Jamaica: Spike in mosquito populations

Event

On May 29, the Jamaican Ministry of Health warned of a spike in mosquito populations nationwide following heavy rains and subsequent flooding that hit the country in recent weeks. This is leading to fears of increased rates of mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever, chikungunya, and the Zika virus, all of which are endemic in Jamaica.

The government is calling on residents to destroy potential mosquito breeding grounds - i.e. pockets of stagnant water, such as rain water that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc. According to a recent study, some 70 percent of mosquito breeding grounds are located within or around residences.

Context

While the Zika virus in itself is usually relatively benign (and asymptomatic in approximately 80 percent of cases), links between Zika and severe birth defects as well as the potentially fatal neurological disorder Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) have been established. When symptoms do occur they generally appear two to seven days following contraction of the disease, and include fever, headache (behind the eyes), conjunctivitis, rash, vomiting, and muscle and joint pain.

Symptoms of classic dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rash. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, enlargement of the liver, and hemorrhaging.

Symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those of dengue fever and include: high fever, joint and muscle pain, rash, headache, nausea, and fatigue. The virus is rarely fatal but lingering joint pain can last for several months, even years, after the initial recovery.

Advice

Individuals present in Jamaica are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites, e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping in a screened-in or air conditioned room. Travelers who develop any of the above symptoms after their return home should make sure their doctors are aware of their travel history to avoid misdiagnosis.