The Dubai Health Authority's Preventive Service Centre issued a circular on Sunday which asked all public and private health services to enhance their surveillance of dengue fever.
Healthcare practitioners in Dubai have been asked to watch out for possible dengue fever cases that could be imported into the UAE through visitors and by residents that have travelled to endemic areas.
The advisory came amid increasing cases of dengue fever reported across the globe. "Importation of dengue fever cases is possible through visitors to the country and travel to endemic areas," read the circular.
"As dengue fever presenting symptoms can mimic common febrile illnesses, all practising physicians are advised to consider the dengue fever as a differential diagnosis for acute febrile illnesses," it added.
Dengue fever is notifiable according to the Communicable Diseases Law 14 for the year 2014. Immediate notification is mandatory to the preventive service centre in DHA.
"Referring to the above subject, dengue fever is the most common viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. The global incidence of dengue fever has grown dramatically in recent years, especially in the tropics and sub-tropical endemic regions," the circular read.
"In addition, there has been an observed increase in other viruses transmitted by Egyptian zebra mosquitoes such as the Zika virus, Yellow fever virus and Chikungunya virus. Dengue represents a major health burden in countries with established endemic transmission and has become a leading cause of hospitalisation and death in those countries."
Globally the number of cases reported increased from 2.2 million in 2010 to 3.2 million in 2015. There is no specific treatment for dengue fever only supportive treatment but early detection and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates below one per cent.
People with weakened immune systems as well as those with a second or subsequent dengue infection are believed to be at greater risk for developing dengue haemorrhagic fever.
Doctors have also been asked to investigate cases according to the clinical pathway and notify the respective health department after collecting the sample as suspected dengue fever. The status will be confirmed on receipt of the laboratory test.
Dengue warning signs:
- Abdominal pain or tenderness
- Persistent vomiting
- Clinical fluid accumulation
- Mucosal bleeding
- Lethargy/restlessness
- Liver enlargement
Suggested protection:
- Stay away from heavily populated residential areas, if possible
- Use mosquito repellents, even indoors
- When outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks
- When indoors, use air conditioning if available
- Make sure window and door screens are secure and free of holes. If sleeping areas are not screened or air-conditioned, use mosquito nets
- If someone in your home gets dengue fever, be especially vigilant about efforts to protect yourself and other family members from mosquitoes. Mosquitoes that bite the infected family member could spread the infection to others in your home
What usually doctors look for:
- In a patient with recent travel (2 weeks) to dengue endemic area, an acute febrile illness (2-10 days) defined by the presence high fever (40°C/104°F)
And two or more of the following:
- Retro-orbital or ocular pain
- Headache
- Rash
- Myalgia (muscle pain)
- Arthralgia (joint pain)
- Leukopenia (low white blood cell counts)
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
- Haemorrhagic manifestations (gum bleeding, blood in vomit, urine, or stool or vaginal bleeding)