WoodPulp…Guadeloupe/Martinique

In Guadeloupe, an outbreak of Dengue Fever was reported.  About 40 to 60 cases were reported weekly.

In Martinique, 10-year-old girl died from Dengue Fever.

On Friday, June 11, DOMACtu.com reported that a girl of 10 years died on Monday [7 Jun 2010] after contracting the dengue virus. The child who was suffering from sickle-cell anaemia, could not resist the virus.  Currently, analyses are still being conducted in Guyane to confirm that the dengue virus was the cause of death.

Subsequent reports on Sunday, June 13 cited an additional death due to dengue virus infection.  The reports further stated that 118 patients had been hospitalized with 57 classical dengue cases, 21 severe cases and 4 cases of DHF.  There were 15 other cases under investigation.

To date, nearly 500 people have contracted the virus, some developing severe forms such as DHF.  As just illustrated by this terrible tragedy, it is unfortunately the children who are the most vulnerable. (Source: Tropical Medical Bureau)

Martinique | edited by promedmail.org, Fri 6 Aug  2010

The number of “clinically suggestive” cases of dengue fever rose sharply from 1900 patients in mid-July [2010] to 2600 between 19 Jul and 1 Aug [2010], according to the latest epidemiological report of the Institut de Veille Sanitaire (InVS), published on Fri 6 Aug [2010].  The experts of InVS also reported  a sharp rise in the monthly number of cases treated in hospital.

172 patients were hospitalized in July, compared with 87 in June.

In total, more than 310 patients have been hospitalized for “biologically [laboratory] confirmed” dengue fever, including 9 deaths since the beginning of the dengue epidemic in February [2010].

Note, the number of cases clinically suggestive is estimated from the patients who consulted a general practitioner for a clinical syndrome suggestive of dengue fever epidemic for the whole population of Martinique.

Martinique | edited by promedmail.org, Fri 6 Aug  2010

Monitoring: the weekly number of cases suggestive of dengue has further increased to 2600 cases in weeks 29 and 30 [21 Jul-3 Aug 2010].  The epidemic peak of 2001 has been exceeded.  The number of consultations conducted by dengue SOS doctors and emergency services in adult and pediatric [facilities] in Fort-de-France remain very high.

Hospitalizations: 311 confirmed cases were hospitalized since 22 Feb 2010, including 10 percent for the severe form [of the disease].  Since May 2010, 9 deaths have been registered (6 in July): 3 directly related to dengue, 3 indirectly related, and 3 still under investigation.

Circulating [dengue virus] serotypes: DEN-1 (61 percent), DEN-2 (1 percent), and DEN-4 (38 percent).

Guadeloupe | edited by promedmail.org, Fri 6 Aug  2010

Monitoring: since mid-May [2010], the number of cases was clinically suggestive of a rapid increase to about 2900 cases in weeks 29-30 [21 July-3 Aug 2010], with a cumulative total of 25 200 cases since week 49 [2-8 Dec], 2009.  The epidemic peak of 2007 has been exceeded.  The number of cases visiting the [hospital] dengue emergency [department] is increasing.

Hospitalizations: 243 confirmed cases have been hospitalized since week 49, 2009, of which at least 94 were of the severe form (DHF).

Circulating [dengue virus] serotype: DEN-1.

Guadeloupe and Martinique

Guadeloupe and Martinique had more than 7,000 new cases of Dengue over the first two weeks of August.  50,000 cases have been recorded for the year to date.

In response to this record-making outbreak, Guadeloupe and Martinique deployed soldiers on the field to destroy mosquito breeding places and contain the spread of Dengue, which has caused more than 500,000 persons to come down with the disease. The military began its work in the south of the country, targeting schools and their immediate surroundings in particular, to make them mosquito-free zones in advance of the start of the school year.

There have been at least 13 deaths in the French Departments since the start of the current epidemic in February.

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