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| Female Aedes aegypti mosquito transmits one of four strains of dengue fever (Photo: James Gathany/US Department of Health and Human Services) | |
FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique, October 26, 2007 - Martinique has recorded its second fatality from dengue fever, health authorities on the French dependent territory said Thursday.
The victim was reportedly in his 60s and died at a hospital Tuesday according to reports.
His death comes weeks after another man in his 70s died from the mosquito-borne virus.
Martinique declared a dengue epidemic in August and says there are 6,400 suspected cases on the island of 430,000 people.
The US Center for Disease Control & Prevention has issued a dengue-outbreak notice for Martinique as well as destinations including Mexico, Brazil and Guadeloupe.
In the Dominican Republic, 5,400 people have been hospitalized while health authorities in Puerto Rico and Jamaica have issued alerts on the disease.
Dengue Fever is primarily a tropical disease that is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It is manifested by a sudden onset of fever with severe headache, muscle and joint pains. The first reported epidemics of the disease occurred in 1779-1780 in Asia, Africa, and North America, according to the Center for Disease Control. No dengue vaccine is available. (Hardbeatnews.com)
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