UAE health ministry issues guidelines to prevent dengue fever

Dubai: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has issued guidelines on how to prevent dengue fever, sharing tips for curbing the spread of mosquitoes at construction sites and industrial areas, how to avoid getting bitten by the mosquitoes that carry the virus, and measures to be taken if someone gets infected.

Over the past few days, MoHAP took to social media to share the guidelines and tips.

To effectively prevent mosquito infestations and dengue fever in industrial and construction sites, as well as in residential areas, it is important to implement comprehensive strategies, MoHAP noted.

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Curbing the spread of mosquitoes

The Ministry listed the following preventive measures to avoid the spread of mosquitoes in construction sites and industrial areas.

Prevention of bites

The Ministry pointed out that the mosquito that transmits dengue fever, Aedes aegypti, is active during the daytime, and provided the following preventive measures to avoid getting bitten.

Health measures

There are several health measures you can take if you have dengue fever, the Ministry said, urging residents to take the following steps if they get infected.

Symptoms and detection

If you experience the below mentioned symptoms, you should consult a doctor at the nearest health centre or hospital to receive the appropriate diagnosis and treatment for your condition, the Ministry had stated earlier.

Common symptoms include:

“After the severe fever fades, symptoms of severe dengue fever often emerge,” the Ministry highlighted.

Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. About half of the world’s population is now at risk of dengue. An estimated 100-400 million infections occur annually. Dengue fever appears in many countries and climates due to climate change, the ministry pointed out.

You can lower your risk of dengue by avoiding mosquito bites.

Visit a healthcare provider if symptoms are present for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Most people infected with dengue fever do not show symptoms, but sometimes the condition can become severe. Dengue fever is diagnosed through blood tests.

Currently, there is no specific treatment for dengue and supportive care includes pain management and hydration.

Nationwide efforts

Earlier, in May, MoHAP had revealed nationwide efforts deployed to combat dengue fever.

In a written response to a question from the Federal National Council (FNC) on tacking the disease, the Ministry had then said: “The government established nine specialised teams to combat dengue fever, eliminate 409 mosquito breeding sites, provide an insect laboratory, and conduct 1,200 surveys [regarding mosquitoes] in cooperation with the competent authorities in the emirates.”

There are an estimated 134 health facilities to provide appropriate health and treatment services for dengue fever patients, the Ministry had added.

Prior to that, various entities in the country had joined forces to minimise mosquito infestation across various locations across the country, after the country experienced record rainfall in April, increasing the spread of mosquitoes in water pools and damp areas.

Even before that, an anti-mosquito campaign had been launched in its first phase in February 2022. The current phase, which is part of the efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds and reduce their spread in various locations and places, will continue until May 2025, the authorities had said.