A first death linked to the dengue epidemic that has hit Martinique since July 2019, was announced Tuesday by the Martinique Regional Health Agency (ARS). “On February 10, ARS Martinique was informed by the Martinique University Hospital Center (CHUM) of the presence of three patients hospitalized for dengue fever, showing signs of the severity of the disease. Unfortunately a death is to be deplored among these three patients, “the agency said in a statement.
The investigations carried out “confirm that this death is directly linked to the dengue virus”. Since July 2019, “it is estimated that more than 2,100, the number of cases clinically suggestive of dengue” in Martinique, specifies the ARS.
A viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical areas around the world, dengue fever has experienced accelerated development in recent years. It causes flu-like syndrome, sometimes with fatal complications.
Epidemic
“During the circulation of the dengue virus we can always have severe forms or even death, so obviously, we must continue individual prevention actions (…) and especially the elimination of mosquito lodges”, explained on RCI radio Jacques Rosine, from Santé Publique France Antilles. “Even if today, we note a certain stabilization – we are between 150 and 200 cases which are estimated each week -, we have a circulation which remains active in certain communes of the south of the island. Martinique is still placed in epidemic risk situation, “he insisted.
In the National Assembly, a parliamentary committee of inquiry was created on the spread of Aedes mosquitoes (“tiger mosquitoes”) and vector-borne diseases (zika, chikungunya, dengue, etc.). Chaired by former overseas minister Ericka Bareigts, PS deputy from Reunion Island, this committee is due to start its hearings on Thursday. Réunion has been hit by a dengue epidemic for two years. Since the start of the epidemic, 20 deaths have been recorded, including 12 directly related to dengue, according to the Reunion ARS. Guadeloupe is also affected by an epidemic, just like French Polynesia.
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