All-out battle in Guadeloupe. “L’chikungunya epidemichas entered a phase of exponential growth, while the rainy season has not yet started”, alarms the Regional Health Agency (ARS). Faced with the danger, the ARS calls for a mobilization of the population with a single watchword: protection. Protection from mosquito bites, the source of infection, and the destruction of breeding grounds (sites of stagnant water such as vases and cups of flowerpots, gutters , consumer waste, used tires), are the main measures to contain a major epidemic.
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes infected with the virus, most often by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, also accused of being able to carry dengue virus.
Fever, joint and muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue are the main symptoms that accompany this disease.
This disease, against which there is no treatment, has been raging in the archipelago since December 2013. Since then, the epidemic has continued to spread. To date, there are nearly 24,000 people infected with the virus. 5,190 new cases were recorded in the past week alone.
To counter the threat, the Guadeloupe authorities are deploying action plans. Awareness spots on protective measures (wearing protective clothing and using insecticides) are broadcast on radio and television. Care services are called upon to redouble their efforts, in particular by extending the time slots for medical consultations.
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