Dengue Fever: More questions than answers

19 December 2017, 12:00AM

Should we all be doing more to prevent outbreaks of Dengue Fever? Has the Ministry of Health been timely in their warnings that there have been multiple cases? With lives already lost, why is there not a more proactive prevention programme about this potentially fatal disease being carried out by the Health sector, particularly in schools? Ilia L. Likou asked in today’s Street Talk and this is what people said:

 

Fiasamoa Salima, Apolima, 24

I am a mother of two and working together is the  main key to stop spreading dengue fever.  I suggest that we all work together to clean up our rubbish and drain all those unused water collection areas so we can stop these insects from reproducing. The government should look at programmes on television to educate people from time to time on how to protect from dengue fever. But I think the best way to prevent the mosquitoes from spreading the dengue fever disease to people is by keeping our environment clean, using mosquito repellent and draining any water that has been long stored outside. 

 

Potoa’e Mueli, Apolima, 40

I am one of those concerned parents about the fact that dengue fever has started to claim lives in Samoa because I know it is a dangerous disease spread by mosquitoes. In fact the Ministry and everyone should do their part to prevent every one of us from this deadly disease. We (parents) should protect our children and families because dengue can lead to death if not handled well and fast. We should clean our homes to get rid of breeding places for mosquitoes.

 

Junior Fa’alata, Samatau, 24

Dengue Fever is not new to us, if we should be aware of dengue fever all the time because the disease can kill people and we all know that. Everyone should reduce the ability of mosquitoes to reproduce.

 

Leafaitulagi Koli, 30, Apolima

In my opinion we should all be alert at all times. As a mother, I am aware of the dengue fever outbreak and all its symptoms where people feel weak, experience joint pain and everything. Personally, it’s time for us to work together to avoid such diseases. Just keep our surroundings clean and make sure to see a doctor when we feel symptoms because dengue fever can lead to death.

 

Rhema Elisara, Manono, 17

I’m aware of how dengue fever took one man’s life and we have to protect ourselves while we still have time.. I know the only thing we must do to lessen and protect ourselves and families from such a disease is to keep our environment clean. Some of our people don’t really care sometimes and the government must step in to push protection against dengue through more awareness programmes. But there are simple rules to follow to protect us from dengue like, we have to make sure to cover up water storing containers and dispose of any plastics or tyres laying around which are a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

 

 

19 December 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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