Public Health has confirmed a case of Dengue Fever on Guam. The case was laboratory-confirmed on June 21.

Should there be more three or more locally-acquired cases confirmed within a two-week period, an outbreak would be declared.

The last time such outbreak was in September of 2019, a year when Guam saw 22 cases total. The agency says over the last 15 months, there have been two sporadic cases reported.

Because this is a mosquito-born illness, island residents are urged to "continue prevention efforts and clean up trash, water containers and other mosquito breeding areas to protect themselves. This is particularly important with the rainy season beginning."

Public Health indicated that it will conduct surveillance around high-risk areas, with pesticide spraying in those parts of the island as necessary.

This week is also National Mosquito Control Awareness Week.

The best preventive measure for residents living in areas infested with mosquitoes is to eliminate the places where the mosquito lays its eggs, which are primarily artificial containers that hold water.  Mosquito larvae only need a little bit of standing water to survive.  DPHSS wants to remind residents that breaking the mosquito life cycle starts at the home. Without removing breeding sites, mosquitoes can return. Pesticide spraying can also be ineffective if overused.

The Department asks residents to do their part to reduce the mosquito population with some simple steps:

  • Properly cover or discard and dispose all containers that collect rainwater or water, such as flowerpots, garbage cans, recycling containers, wheelbarrows, aluminum cans, boat tarps, old tires and buckets.
  • Flush birdbaths and wading pools weekly.
  • Flush ornamental bromeliads with water, or treat with BTI, a biological larvicide available at home stores.
  • Clean roof gutters, which can become clogged and hold water.
  • Change the water in outdoor pet dishes regularly.
  • Keep pools and spas chlorinated and filtered.
  • Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito-eating fish.
  • Cover rain barrels with screening.
  • Check for standing water under houses, near plumbing drains, under air conditioner drip areas, around septic tanks, and water pumps.
  • Take steps to eliminate standing water, improve drainage, and prevent future puddling.

It’s important for residents to remember the four Ds of mosquito prevention:

  1. Drain: Empty out water containers and scrub the sides to remove mosquito eggs at least once every 5 days.
  2. Dress: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  3. Defend: Properly apply an EPA-Registered mosquito repellent such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon-Eucalyptus.
  4. Dusk and Dawn: Avoid activity during those times when mosquitoes are most active.

Dengue Fever Symptoms

See your healthcare provider if you experience any of the symptoms of dengue fever, such as high fever, severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, joint pain, muscle and bone pain, rash, and mild bleeding usually around nose or gums.  Generally, younger children and those with their first dengue infection have a milder illness than older children and adults.  Visit your nearest hospital emergency room if you experience any of the following symptoms of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF), the severe form of the disease, which is characterized by a fever that lasts from 2 to 7 days, and can be followed by persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and difficulty breathing. In addition, patients with DHF tend to bruise easily or experience other skin hemorrhages and possibly even bleed internally.

The Guam Public Health Laboratory (GPHL) conducts tests for dengue including serotyping. The GPHL is on the third floor of the RAN-CARE Building at 761 South Marine Corps Drive, Tamuning, Guam 96913. For more information, contact Anne Marie Santos, GPHL Laboratory Administrator via email at [email protected].

Providers should continue to be vigilant and report suspect dengue cases to the DPHSS ELC Program by FAX: 300-7355 and the Territorial Epidemiologist: [email protected]