Department of Public Health Actively Monitors to Detect Measles and Chikungunya Cases at an Early Stage

For this reason, the Department of Public Health is actively monitoring the increasing number of measles and chikungunya cases in the region.

According to the most recent data, a total of 1,031 measles cases have been reported in the Region of the Americas (PAHO), with the majority occurring in Mexico and the United States.

With regard to chikungunya, two cases have been registered in Aruba this year involving individuals arriving from countries where chikungunya outbreaks are occurring. According to the latest PAHO data, a total of 2,351 confirmed chikungunya cases have been reported in the Americas, including one death related to the disease.

To prevent the importation of measles or the local transmission of chikungunya in Aruba, it is important not only for health authorities to work together to identify and detect potential cases at an early stage, but also for the public to be well informed and aware of what to do when experiencing certain symptoms or when suspecting exposure to either of these diseases.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads from person to person when someone infected with the virus coughs, sneezes, or blows their nose. When a person coughs or sneezes, virus particles can remain in the air for some time and may settle on surfaces. Another person may then transfer the virus to their mouth, nose, or eyes through contact with contaminated hands, allowing the virus to enter the body.

Symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and may include:

• High fever;
• Runny nose;
• Dry cough;
• Red or inflamed eyes;
• Sore throat;
• Severe fatigue;
• Red skin rash that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body;

Anyone experiencing these symptoms is advised to contact their primary care physician by phone, follow all medical instructions, and avoid contact with others.

Chikungunya

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by the same mosquito that spreads dengue (the Aedes aegypti mosquito).

The most common symptoms include:

• Sudden fever;
• Severe joint pain (wrists, ankles, knees, elbows, etc.);
• Headache;
• Muscle pain;
• Fatigue;
• Skin rash (sometimes).

Symptoms usually appear between 2 and 12 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms — especially after returning from a country with a chikungunya outbreak — should contact their primary care physician by phone, follow all medical instructions, and take measures to avoid additional mosquito bites. This includes eliminating potential breeding sites, wearing long-sleeved clothing, using insect repellent, and avoiding dark areas where mosquitoes tend to rest.

Because public health remains our priority, DVG will continue to keep the community well informed.

For more information:

• Like the Directie Volksgezondheid DVG Aruba Facebook page;
• Follow us on Instagram: directie_volksgezondheid_aruba;
• Follow us on WhatsApp;
• Visit: www.dvg.aw;
• Call: 522-4200[
• Email: servicio@dvg.aw.