Dengue Fever in Ajijic, Lake Chapala

There is an alert about Dengue Fever being reported in the Lake Chapala corridor betewwen Chapala and Jocotepec according to local health authorities

Symptoms may include sudden high fever, sever headaches, pain behind the eyes, intense joint pain and muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin rash and mild bleeding that appear four to six days after infection and  last for up to 10 days.

It is caused bu a family of viruses that are transmitted but mosquitoes from one infected person to another. Fumigation campaigns are being carried out in some localities.\

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine available to prevent infection nor any specific medicine to cure the disease.

Treatment prescribed by physicians is bed rest, plantiful fluid intake and pain releivers with acetaminophen. Medications containing aspirin which could worsen bleeding should be avoided.

Blood tests applied to definitively diagnose Dengue Fever cases are currently available free of charge at Chpaala’s municipal clinic and some other plublic health facilities.

One should try to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes by wearing long sleeves or using OFF spary or cream.  There is also a very good product for spraying your outdoor areas which is available at Superlake in San Antonio Tlayacapan.

It is called Eco Mint and is made by Professional Chemicasl in Aruba.

Also try to avoid having any standing water around your house.

As always prevention is the best solution.

Salud!