The army mobilized against an epidemic of dengue in the Caribbean

[Gert van der Hoek]

The army mobilized against an epidemic of dengue in the Caribbean

Posted on August 23, 2010 by D.Burton

The soldiers were mobilized from Monday, August 23 French Antilles to combat an outbreak of dengue, an infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes, has killed at least thirteen deaths since February.

According to official statistics, there were 4100 new cases of dengue in Guadeloupe the first week of August 3700 and the second week.

In Martinique, these are 3400 new cases were declared the first week and 4,160 the second.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, 33,000 cases were reported in Guadeloupe and Martinique in 25,600, according to the Secretariat of State for Overseas.

The military will intervene in particular in schools, and before the school year, for mosquito control operations and destruction of breeding sites. Early interventions should take place in the south of Martinique, where the epidemic began.

Severe forms of the disease, dengue haemorrhagic fever can be fatal. The French departments of America ? Guadeloupe, Martinique in the Caribbean and Guyana in South America ? have regular outbreaks of dengue fever more or less serious, but since 2005 the disease has an increase in this area unusual.

http://www.dailynewsengine.com/759/...ainst-an-epidemic-of-dengue-in-the-caribbean/

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: The army mobilized against an epidemic of dengue in the Caribbean

French to English translation
13 dead in Martinique: "Specifically, what can you do?"
epidemic, Dengue, Martinique, Health
By The editors of the Post on 23/08/2010 at 13:48,

While some find that the army should have intervened earlier, others criticize the lack of preparedness of local authorities.


Mosquito
EPA / MAXPPP / GUSTAVO AMADOR

Since Monday, the French army in Martinique fight against the epidemic of dengue fever (an infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes), which has already killed 13 people since February.

"It was about time. It's never too late but it's been 12 deaths (one additional death was recorded in the meantime, ed), indignant Bill DomActu.com dong on the site." Action must be conducted not only in schools but in all neighborhoods. Only global action will kick off the epidemic, "he recommends.

On the spot, "health services are overwhelmed," said Friday DomActu.com. An epidemic could be even more important given that physicians Sentinel (a panel of doctors who monitor some health indicators) are missing, "which disrupts the estimates made," according to experts from the Institute of Health Health-Medicine site.

The epidemic was predictable?

"Specifically what can you do? There are, or what?" Laments Nad Bondamanjak.com site. "What are we waiting for?". In hospitals, one third of patients are treated and sent home, said RFO. Dr. Besnier, Head of Emergency reassuring: "Our team is prepared.

Whose fault?

"This epidemic is an illustration of the obvious failure of public authorities in the field of prevention (Is there ever was also a permanent plan for prevention?). That this epidemic sounds the alarm to shake the fleas authorities "Zig explains in comments DomActu.com site. "Never again should such unpreparedness meet in Martinique."

Also on DomActu.com, this is what provides the same user:

- The means to prevent an epidemic
"There are now tools that allows a territory over time: the cadastral map-GPS-Photo IGN - mobile phones - computers ..."

- The liability incurred.
"Do not rule out sanctions against governments, businesses and individuals who would not respond to warnings of various security services."

- Lack of preparation
"Again, we caught unprepared by, and lack of projection into the future."

- The solution: new laws?
"If the laws do not act properly, they must be changed, by legislative proposals at the initiative of regional and general councils, in addition to those that can be initiated by parliamentarians."
http://www.lepost.fr/article/2010/0...epidemie-de-dengue-etait-elle-previsible.html