BajaNomad

Dengue Fever

measomsan - 11-17-2013 at 07:13 AM

In our other neighborhood, El Tule that is between Cabo & San Jose someone came down with this fever. Are other parts of Baja having issues with this?

Bill Collector - 11-17-2013 at 07:35 AM

Los Barriles, Buena Vista. There has been a few deaths

monoloco - 11-17-2013 at 07:39 AM

I had it last month, no fun at all.

vandenberg - 11-17-2013 at 07:53 AM

After heavy downpours, like we had here in the Loreto area, dengue fever is always a concern, and authorities warn people
to take anti mosquito measures to minimize the chance of contracting this serious disease.

DianaT - 11-17-2013 at 09:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
I had it last month, no fun at all.


In Honduras, we all called Dengue Fever, Bone Break Fever. I hope you are fully recovered!

If those mosquitoes are around you cannot take too many precautions.

measomsan - 11-17-2013 at 11:04 AM

I understand Deet is best to combat the chite.. What is the best product that contains Deet?

DianaT - 11-17-2013 at 11:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by measomsan
I understand Deet is best to combat the chite.. What is the best product that contains Deet?


Lots of products contain deet and it is probably the best. But I hate using it unless absolutely necessary.

Some other precautions are important like sleeping under a net, and or having fans running all night. Citronella candles outside on the patio work fairly well. Check all screens for small holes.

The lots of things that work for different people, like sticking a Bounce Sheet in your pocket, eating garlic, taking lots of Vitamin B. None of those things work for me, but they do for others.

Also, Avon's Skin So Soft, if you can stand the smell. :-)

JAG - 11-17-2013 at 11:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by measomsan
I understand Deet is best to combat the chite.. What is the best product that contains Deet?


Deet can be found in almost all sporting goods stores up to 100%
We have found that a good mosquito repellent containing Deet at atleast 50% when mixed with Skin so Soft from Avon at 50/50 mixture works great.

David K - 11-17-2013 at 11:27 AM

Got this at WalMart, camping section, 95% Deet:

Mulegena - 11-17-2013 at 11:40 AM

Knowledge and liberal application of that knowledge is one of the best preventatives of mosquito-born illnesses, I think.

The public health agencies here in Baja Sur educate the public and urge us to eliminate the breeding ground of mosquitos. They send a representative around door-to-door who have the authority to look at homes' black water systems. They distribute small packets of powdered calcium carbonate to sprinkle on open cisterns.

This year the Municipality of Mulege county-wide is not spraying the air from a truck as it's believe to be ineffective, hence they're encouraging individuals to eliminate the source of mosquitos in their homes. However, the black water tank exhaust pipe of almost every home is open and unscreened which allows free access in and out of the cisterns. In my neighborhood I have the only screened cistern. This cost only a few pesos to buy a quarter meter of screen from the hardware store and tie it over the standing pvc pipe; I wish the health department would require this measure.

Mulege's dirty little secret: Unfortunately, the black water treatment system for Nuevo Mulege is open and dumping raw sewage out onto the ground. That's the new subdivision of houses and relocated Ceccyt, the college prep school a couple miles south of town. I discovered this just last Friday when I took my daughter to school and went in the back untraveled dirt road. I had to drive right through the black, stinky mess! Not only is it a horrible bacterial stew but it's a prime breeding ground of mosquitos!

The kids knew all about it, said it had been that way "forever". You can be sure that I'm making a formal report to the town delegado and the health department and will include photos!
While I'm at it I'll include a report of the unscreened pvc pipes, too. I'll involve my 17-year old daughter in this project, so she'll see how the system works, or doesn't, and so she'll realize that she has a voice in society.

[Edited on 11-17-2013 by Mulegena]

Cheap protection

durrelllrobert - 11-17-2013 at 11:42 AM

For battling those nasty Canadian mosquitos I found the best and cheapest solution is the original, brownish, Listerine. Just put it in a spay bottle and spray everyone, especially kids, down. The nasty blood suckers won't even land on you.

Ateo - 11-17-2013 at 12:02 PM

This is the best stuff:

3M Ultrathon.

Tons of Deet.


http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Ultrathon/Produc...

EnsenadaDr - 11-17-2013 at 12:07 PM

Maybe you should educate the public about the use of screens and how economical and effective such a small adjustment to their systems would be. When I did my social service in Zorillo, a small rural area of Ensenada, all of the septic tanks were full and the run off was continuous from the hills into the main road, there was always a concurrent "river" paralleling the main road that reeked constantly, I made many complaints to the city and town but nothing was ever done.
Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Knowledge and liberal application of that knowledge is one of the best preventatives of mosquito-born illnesses, I think.

The public health agencies here in Baja Sur educate the public and urge us to eliminate the breeding ground of mosquitos. They send a representative around door-to-door who have the authority to look at homes' black water systems. They distribute small packets of powdered calcium carbonate to sprinkle on open cisterns.

This year the Municipality of Mulege county-wide is not spraying the air from a truck as it's believe to be ineffective, hence they're encouraging individuals to eliminate the source of mosquitos in their homes. However, the black water tank exhaust pipe of almost every home is open and unscreened which allows free access in and out of the cisterns. In my neighborhood I have the only screened cistern. This cost only a few pesos to buy a quarter meter of screen from the hardware store and tie it over the standing pvc pipe; I wish the health department would require this measure.

Mulege's dirty little secret: Unfortunately, the black water treatment system for Nuevo Mulege is open and dumping raw sewage out onto the ground. That's the new subdivision of houses and relocated Ceccyt, the college prep school a couple miles south of town. I discovered this just last Friday when I took my daughter to school and went in the back untraveled dirt road. I had to drive right through the black, stinky mess! Not only is it a horrible bacterial stew but it's a prime breeding ground of mosquitos!

The kids knew all about it, said it had been that way "forever". You can be sure that I'm making a formal report to the town delegado and the health department and will include photos!
While I'm at it I'll include a report of the unscreened pvc piles, too.

Mula - 11-17-2013 at 02:13 PM

I heard Friday on 97.5FM radio station there are something around 640 cases of dengue in Baa Sur so far this year.

EnsenadaDr - 11-17-2013 at 02:16 PM

Dengue Fever is a virus and can have very mild symptoms. However, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever is a severe complication but fortunately can be treated successfully in over 90% of the cases. A virus does not respond to antibiotics, so treatment of symptoms is the only way to go when affected.

Prevention is the key and in Third World countries that is almost an impossible task.

monoloco - 11-17-2013 at 02:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mula
I heard Friday on 97.5FM radio station there are something around 640 cases of dengue in Baa Sur so far this year.
Those are just the reported cases. I think most people (like me) don't bother to go to the doctor when they get it. There's really not much you can do except get rest and stay hydrated.

vandenberg - 11-17-2013 at 04:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
Those are just the reported cases. I think most people (like me) don't bother to go to the doctor when they get it. There's really not much you can do except get rest and stay hydrated.



So, how did you know it was dengue and not just a flue virus? Self diagnose??.. and a case of Pacifico to stay hydrated??

:biggrin::biggrin:

laventana - 11-17-2013 at 04:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
Quote:
Originally posted by Mula
I heard Friday on 97.5FM radio station there are something around 640 cases of dengue in Baa Sur so far this year.
Those are just the reported cases. I think most people (like me) don't bother to go to the doctor when they get it. There's really not much you can do except get rest and stay hydrated.
correct most do not report it like I did not 8 years or so ago. But what you can do is do a reverse on it and from the hemorrhagic cases and deaths you can figure out how many people had it. The hemorrhagic cases go to the hospital or doctor in general and obviously the deaths are reported.

I can not remember the exact mortality rates or hemorrhagic rates but depending on which of the i think 4 strains are present something like .01 to .04 percent mortality rate with one strain being a bit more aggressive. Our doctor may know the numbers.

Then if there are two strains around the mortality rate goes up to 1-4 percent for a second infection (a second strain) in a season or for 5 years I believe. That is why you do not want your first case with a low mortality rate and you do want to be tested to know which strain you had so if another is in the area again in the 5-7 years you may want to take a vacation or be much more aggressive in protection. It puts you are a high risk if the second one comes around.

I am a mosquito magnet and any deet works for me, I have been bit many times in LaPaz even at the movie theater so I put on deet before going to a movie.

This AE mosquito is known as an ankle biter, so in general you can be well protected by just deeting your lower legs and ankles.

Here is my mosquito thread:
http://la-ventana.forumotion.com/f24-mosquitoes-how-to-stop-...

and there is some great news in the works for stopping dengue with a bacteria ( a common bacteria in many bugs, but not in AE mosquitos), I think they have one more major test to do in a country that they have to breed these infected AE mosquitoes to infect the others and then they will be doing this around the world. It takes about two years to breed enough of them for the local environment to do the tests.



bacteria link


[Edited on 11-18-2013 by laventana]

got it

BFS - 11-17-2013 at 06:02 PM

I have it right now. Day 6. I have not slept since its onset.
At the clinic in TS they told me that over 100 cases have come through their doors this year.
If you want to know what death feels like give me a shout

chuckie - 11-17-2013 at 06:27 PM

What are the symptoms??? I have had an all over itch and eye infections for several weeks..Think its shingles but dunno...

Barry A. - 11-17-2013 at 06:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
What are the symptoms??? I have had an all over itch and eye infections for several weeks..Think its shingles but dunno...


If you have "shingles" I think you will know-----------it is so painful you will consider dying!!! Had it once-------now have the vaccination, and presume I will never have it again ( I dearly hope, anyway).

Barry

monoloco - 11-17-2013 at 07:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
Those are just the reported cases. I think most people (like me) don't bother to go to the doctor when they get it. There's really not much you can do except get rest and stay hydrated.



So, how did you know it was dengue and not just a flue virus? Self diagnose??.. and a case of Pacifico to stay hydrated??

:biggrin::biggrin:
Because several people I know with the same symptoms were diagnosed with it. It's really pretty obvious when you have splitting head aches, painful joints, and a reoccurring high fever during the time when a lot of people are suffering from dengue. Anyone that you talk to here knows several people who have had it recently.

BFS - 11-17-2013 at 08:29 PM

I have not had a headache but do hear that is a common symptom.
Mine have been a severe fever that comes and goes throughout the day but is really bad at night. Massive joint, bone, body pains and aches which are also way worse at night. No apetite, sweating, chills and the absolute killer being the inability to sleep. I actually dread the arrival of nightfall. Maybe tonight will be different.

[Edited on 11-18-2013 by BFS]

chumlee57 - 11-17-2013 at 08:51 PM

wow, thats brutal, gotta be careful with the deets as well, had a friend of mine on a camping trip ingest some of this by accident ( spray application ) whole head blew up, eyes swelled and turned red. thought i was going to have to carry him down the hill, a day later he was ok, but very scarry. there are a lot of envoirnmental groups getting started up in mexico right now, hopefully they focus on these issues

laventana - 11-17-2013 at 09:07 PM

I want to be clear here. Though you can not get sick from the same strain do not get a sense of security... For those who have and or just had these symptoms. You have just had one strain. This is not to panic anyone just to let you get informed. again it is still less than 1% fatality with a second infection and generally only fatal for compromised immune systems or very young or old..

If there is a second strain of dengue going around (which I can not tell if it is, you can if you get the actual mortality rates right now you can extrapolate it) and you get a second illness this is where the death rate is much higher, I can not remember the exact number buy it is either 10 or 100 times higher.

I implore you to wear pants and socks (if you just had it)at all times from this point out. plus do not go anywhere without deet. have deet in your car and home. Just play it extra cautious. Even buy a net for your bed, but in general unless some near is ill your home is safe, these mosquitoes have a normal range of 100 meters. and lifespan of 30 days.. Again you have lost your basic as I call it freeby for I think it is 5- 7 years. after 5-7 years you are back to statistically the same.

Feel free to contact me and I can dig up the documentation that I had years ago. I went through this about 8 years or so ago.


here is one quick find showing the 4 types. I have much more info.
http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/fAQFacts/index.html
Q. What is dengue?
A. Dengue (pronounced den' gee) is a disease caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses (DENV 1, DENV 2, DENV 3, or DENV 4). The viruses are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. In the Western Hemisphere, the Aedes aegypti mosquito is the most important transmitter or vector of dengue viruses, although a 2001 outbreak in Hawaii was transmitted by Aedes albopictus. It is estimated that there are over 100 million cases of dengue worldwide each year.

[Edited on 11-18-2013 by laventana]

monoloco - 11-17-2013 at 09:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BFS
I have not had a headache but do hear that is a common symptom.
Mine have been a severe fever that comes and goes throughout the day but is really bad at night. Massive joint, bone, body pains and aches which are also way worse at night. No apetite, sweating, chills and the absolute killer being the inability to sleep. I actually dread the arrival of nightfall. Maybe tonight will be different.

[Edited on 11-18-2013 by BFS]
Exactly, I would feel OK in the morning and get progressively weaker all day, then I would get this splitting headache right behind my left eye, and my joints felt like I'd been put on the rack, at night I'd wake up with the sheets completely soaked. I lost 10-15 lbs., no appetite for 2 weeks, the only common symptom that I didn't have is the rash that is often associated. I know exactly where I got it, I stopped to visit a friend who lives near downtown Todos Santos, who was just getting over it, when I got home I had mosquito bites all over my ankles, a few days later I became sick. There has been a dengue epidemic all over Mexico and Central America this year.

[Edited on 11-18-2013 by monoloco]

laventana - 11-17-2013 at 09:32 PM

web md is a good one, remember not to take asprin.
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dengue-fever-reference

and here is the best read and read the comments about the getting more than one strains. this one was posted on my website.

http://yucalandia.com/science-health-issues/dengue-what-to-d...

monoloco - 11-17-2013 at 09:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by laventana
web md is a good one, remember not to take asprin.
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dengue-fever-reference

and here is the best read and read the comments about the getting more than one strains. this one was posted on my website.

http://yucalandia.com/science-health-issues/dengue-what-to-d...
Ibuprofen helped with the pain. I assume that aspirin could cause increased bleeding if one had the hemorragic form of the disease.

BajaB - 11-18-2013 at 08:45 AM

Does anyone know if there have been any cases of dengue fever in or near Santa Rosalia?
Thanks

dengue fever santa rosalia

BajaB - 11-18-2013 at 08:49 AM

Does anyone know if there have been any cases of dengue fever in or near Santa Rosalia?
Thanks

Mulegena - 11-18-2013 at 09:11 AM

I've heard of no diagnosed Dengue in Mulege or Sta. Rosalia, BajaB.

Here's another useful site

durrelllrobert - 11-18-2013 at 09:31 AM

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&a...

oladulce - 11-18-2013 at 09:44 AM

After hearing monoloco's and BFS' current status and the link to Yucalandia with other personal accounts, I will take this much more seriously. Gotta go to La Paz and SJC soon and we will use spray. Hope you're feeling better soon guys.

We were in Loreto overnight 3 weeks ago and got a few bites at the Coco Cabañas part of town. On the way home stopped by the nursery at Nopolo/Loreto Bay around 10:00am and I have never encountered so many mosquitoes - not Nicaragua, CR, Guatemala,Puerto Rico, and even San Blas was mild in comparison. Arms and legs were covered in black as well as our faces. Worst I've ever seen. Don't know if it was just the tree shaded nursery area and from watering the plants or the entire Loreto Bay area. I mean really,really bad and I came home with lots of bites.

laventana - 11-18-2013 at 11:14 AM

any reports of cerritos beach area, is it only in Todos so far?

A friend was camping out there this weekend and was eaten by mosquitoes. I have discussed with him we do not know when he can be infectious if he did have an infected mosquito bite him.

As a proactive measure he has agreed to only go out with deet on and or socks and long pants for the next 10 days as a protective strategy for our area..

this is the perfect example of how valuable the internet and forums can be if he does come down with it he will not be passing it on because we had a early warning.

RnR - 11-18-2013 at 01:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oladulce

We were in Loreto overnight 3 weeks ago and got a few bites at the Coco Cabañas part of town. On the way home stopped by the nursery at Nopolo/Loreto Bay around 10:00am and I have never encountered so many mosquitoes Don't know if it was just the tree shaded nursery area and from watering the plants or the entire Loreto Bay area. I mean really,really bad and I came home with lots of bites.


Same time frame, about three weeks ago:

We were just passing by the south entrance to the Loreto Bay area and were stopped by the road construction. Turned off the engine, put the windows down, and were instantly INUNDATED with mosquitoes. Had to put the windows back up, run the engine, and sit there with the A/C on, while waiting our turn to continue on southbound.

BFS - 11-18-2013 at 02:57 PM

Yes, I know of one confirmed case in Cerritos. It was a doozy as the person almost needed a blood transfusion.
And Monoloco is in Pescadero so you can assume that this entire area is holding.


[Edited on 11-18-2013 by BFS]

comitan - 11-18-2013 at 04:36 PM

Info from another site.
I hope this information may help..I am recovering from Dengue fever in Lo de Marcos. If you get any flu-like symptoms with a fever, go see your doctor and ask for the blood test to check for dengue BEFORE you self medicate. never take aspirin to bring down the fever until you have a diagnosis. Aspirin thins the blood and if you are unlucky enough to get the heamorrhagic dengue where there could be internal bleeding, it may be a matter of life or death. My doctor told me that most of the deaths that occur are because the patient thought it was "just the flu, didn't go to the doctor and by the time they did, it was too late. Not meaning to be gloom and doom but this is a life-threatening disease.

monoloco - 11-18-2013 at 04:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by comitan
Info from another site.
I hope this information may help..I am recovering from Dengue fever in Lo de Marcos. If you get any flu-like symptoms with a fever, go see your doctor and ask for the blood test to check for dengue BEFORE you self medicate. never take aspirin to bring down the fever until you have a diagnosis. Aspirin thins the blood and if you are unlucky enough to get the heamorrhagic dengue where there could be internal bleeding, it may be a matter of life or death. My doctor told me that most of the deaths that occur are because the patient thought it was "just the flu, didn't go to the doctor and by the time they did, it was too late. Not meaning to be gloom and doom but this is a life-threatening disease.
That's probably the best advice there is right there.

laventana - 11-19-2013 at 06:40 AM

a second more recent article by Dr. Fry at yucalandia, the other is much more detailed he is just adding a few things ....
this one includes sightly more info about what I mentioned regarding getting second strains.

http://yucalandia.com/science-health-issues/dengue-what-to-d...
Quote:

except a few items:

Scientists used to think it took 10 days or more between being bitten by a Dengue infected mosquito and the onset of fever & symptoms, but there have been recent reports of as short as a 4 day incubation period between the insect bite and the Dengue infection…

A single dengue infection sets the patient up for future more intense dengue infections, with the symptoms getting worse with every subsequent infection, with the possibility of death increasing dramatically with every new infection.

Each dengue infection confers a very brief immunity (3-4 months) to ONLY that strain of Dengue, but that single infection leaves the patient even more susceptible to more serious symptoms from the other 3 remaining Dengue strains (serotypes).


[Edited on 11-19-2013 by laventana]

DavidE - 11-19-2013 at 12:31 PM

The type of mosquito responsible for dengue is active during the daytime and not at night. When it swept through Las Peñas, Michoacan, everyone got it, including me. A lot of folks commented on the itchy rash that appeared on the chest and abdomen. Fever, and joint pain comparable to the worst case of flu added onto a magnitude 10 mescal hangover.

I like to use a more natural repellent mostly. Like PENNYROYAL oil added to 100% DEET. The pennyroyal keeps the critters further away from my ears so I don't hear them. One single drop of pennyroyal oil applied to all exposed skin surfaces works like a charm. When I see mosquitoes hovering, I'll add a thin application of 100% DEET.

Dengue mosquitoes like other mosquitoes are territorial. Only a stiff prolonged breeze will move them any distance from the birth place. Clean up an acre around your place and you'll be battling fewer mosquitoes.

Zip tie mosquito screen over septic tank vents, gray water drains, etc. Tip abandoned tires over to drain them. A spritz of chlorine bleach into standing water in a tire ends the problem. Toilets that are not flushed and unused sink drains make breeding grounds that are scary. One sink drain can support the hatching of several hundred mosquitoes. Flushing the sink every day with a liter flow of water ends that problem. A dash of chlorine bleach ends it for weeks.

From The School Of Hardest Knocks :(

EdZeranski - 11-20-2013 at 08:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
After heavy downpours, like we had here in the Loreto area, dengue fever is always a concern,....



During our month stay in Loreto/Colonia Zaragossa, October, we dropped dish soap or oil in standing water we came across. There was a lot and the 'skeeters were working overtime.

EdZ KG6UTS

smooooth!!

EdZeranski - 11-20-2013 at 08:18 PM

Quote:
[

If you have "shingles" I think you will know-----------it is so painful you will consider dying!!! ).

Barry



We took some silk shirts to a friend in Loreto, George who made the beer can planes, to ease the shingles pain. Something in silk blocks the shingles pain.


EdZ KG6UTS

measomsan - 11-21-2013 at 08:35 AM

80 cases in Cabo reported this week.

Cases in BCS on the rise

windgrrl - 11-21-2013 at 09:37 AM

Mosquitos near Loreto and East Cape are a problem this year. Lots more greenery, bugs and beasties present.

http://www.bajacitizen.com/number-of-dengue-cases-in-baja-co...

Canadian travel health notice with advice for protection against dengue:

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/notices-avis/notices-avis...

laventana - 7-26-2014 at 09:09 AM

with the rain we are receiving in parts of baja sur any new reports?

vandenberg - 7-26-2014 at 07:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by laventana
with the rain we are receiving in parts of baja sur any new reports?



Need lots more precip than that to rear its ugly head.

laventana - 7-26-2014 at 07:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
Quote:
Originally posted by laventana
with the rain we are receiving in parts of baja sur any new reports?



Need lots more precip than that to rear its ugly head.


Maybe just farther south and sea side. Drove past Todos the other day and mountains look like the desert. All the sea side look like the jungle green.

Here in LaVentana it is up there with the worst mosquito season I can remember. Hoping that dengue does not make it here.

Just read a post in LaPaz about a person getting dengue is why I am asking. I was in La Paz yesterday and it rained their again, flooding a few streets..