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26 LOCAL NEWS AWEMainta Dialuna, 9 October 2023

Take action

to Prevent,

Protect, and

Stop Dengue

Heavy rainfall can be the beginning

of a public health threat

IN the days that have passed and in the months to come, The second step is to protect yourself from getting Dengue,

Aruba may experience heavy rainfall. Some may see this which you can do by:
as a blessing, but it can also be the beginning of a public • Wearing long-sleeved clothing during late afternoon to
health threat if we, as a population, are not aware and work evening hours.
together to minimize the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. • Using mosquito repellent on uncovered skin.

• Using mosquito coils or insect repellents in outdoor spaces.
As is well-known, mosquitoes need water to lay their eggs. • Closing doors and windows before it gets dark or using
The more water left around homes after rainfall, the greater screens.
the opportunity for mosquitoes to breed within 8-10 days. • Avoiding visits to areas where you are aware of a high

mosquito presence.
To reduce the risk of Aruba experiencing a Dengue outbreak, • Spraying indoors in your home, bedroom, office, and areas
as many other countries in Latin America have, it is crucial you regularly frequent with mosquito-killing products.
for us all to address the issue at its root. This means reducing

or stopping the mosquitoes from breeding in large numbers. The third step is to protect others around you when you have
Dengue or Dengue symptoms. You can do this by avoiding
This can be achieved by: mosquito bites.
• Discarding or storing any items that can hold water unnec-

essarily inside and around homes, schools, workplaces, and Dengue symptoms include, among others:
elsewhere. For example, emptying containers under plants, • Fever
tires, discarded toys, vases with plants or flowers, and more. • Headache
• Covering all purposeful water containers, such as those • Pain behind the eyes

for watering plants or giving animals water every day. For • Joint and muscle pain
example, cover containers under air conditioning units or • Eye pain
barrels with rainwater and more. • Rash on the body
• Being extra vigilant about water containers intended for

life, such as plants or pets. For example, flower pots, pet If you experience these symptoms, consult your home
water bowls, lily pad ponds, and more. doctor.