Dengue Virus Death

Wear your mosquito repellant, just saw this in Le Journal...

A 75-year-old French woman died at the Paul-Brousse hospital in Paris after contracting dengue fever during a stay in Saint-Martin, the ARS said in a press release. The regular patient from the neighboring island was first hospitalized at Louis-Constant-Fleming Hospital on February 6 because of a "deterioration in her general condition". Her deteriorating condition, she was evacuated to the Guadeloupe University Hospital in the evening. The next day, her health continuing to deteriorate, she was evacuated to Paris, in case a transplant act was necessary. But she finally died on February 8, the investigation confirms that her death is linked to dengue fever. The mosquito-borne disease returned to Guadeloupe, then to Saint-Martin, and since last November to Saint-Barthélemy. The ARS recalls that it is important to protect oneself by avoiding mosquito bites as much as possible and by fighting against their proliferation.

Sorry to read this. It is usually older or very young people that are compromised and an illness like Dengue can not be overcome.

Many healthy people catch the disease, some more than once as there are 4-5 serotypes of Dengue, and recover. We all know people on the island who have had Dengue at least once, and are fine today.

Luckily the body developes an immunity after you have dengue ..according to island’s Dr Giles This kicks in after your second bout with dengue. Most St Barths are immune by now. The tourists and visitors not so lucky.

My understanding is that if you've been exposed to one of the serotypes, you will indeed have immunity to that particular strain, but are at more risk to develop a serious illness if you are exposed to one of the others. At least that's what the doctors told my daughter six years ago when she had dengue. She carries her lab results when she travels to areas where dengue is present - in the event she feels symptoms, she's been advised to seek medical attention immediately.

EDITED TO ADD: https://www.who.int/denguecontrol/human/en/

TJH said:

My understanding is that if you've been exposed to one of the serotypes, you will indeed have immunity to that particular strain, but are at more risk to develop a serious illness if you are exposed to one of the others.

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The Sanofi vaccine has run into significant problems due to this. Recommendations for use have been modified. NPR provides a review here. An excerpt:

Typically, a vaccine works by triggering the immune system to make antibodies against the virus. These antibodies then fight off the virus during an infection.

But dengue is a tricky virus. Dengue antibodies don't always protect a person. In fact, these antibodies can make an infection worse. The dengue virus actually uses the antibodies to help it spread through the body. So a second infection with dengue — when your blood already has antibodies in it — can actually be worse than the first; a person is at a higher risk of severe complications like plasma leakage syndrome.

In its follow-up study, Sanofi found evidence that Dengvaxia acts like the first infection for a person who has not been previously infected. The body produces antibodies against the vaccine, which have a similar potential for harm.

Thanks for sharing your insights with us.

This is pretty concerning! How prolific is dengue on SBH? Have there been a lot of reported cases? Have been visiting the Island for many years now and have never had a problem and have never worn repellent. However, if this virus becomes an issue....

A few cases a week according to Dr Giles...mostly visitors not residents who seem to have become immune.

We are devastated to hear the Mosquito Milk is no longer available! That is our "go to" after John contracted Dengue a few years ago while we were in SBH. It's such an easy roll on application. We brought our last bottle with us when we were there in early February. I'm not sure what we'll use next trip.

Canuck said:

This is pretty concerning! How prolific is dengue on SBH? Have there been a lot of reported cases... However, if this virus becomes an issue....

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Dengue is endemic in St Barth (as elsewhere in the Caribbean region and most of the tropical and subtropical world as shown in this map found on the CDC site). It is prudent to accept that there is always some risk.

Dengue epidemics have been occurring on St Barth about every 3-5 years (similar to what is the case in other regions of the Americas since the early 2000's).

The most recent report (2/6/20) showed a continued rise in cases (graph below) that would be monitored. Reports can be accessed here. An updated one should soon be available.

An epidemic was declared for St Martin on 1/29/20. It is reasonable to conclude St Barth is only a bit behind.

Has anyone said why Mosquito Milk is no longer available?

cec1 said:

Has anyone said why Mosquito Milk is no longer available?

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No, but there was this report of a similar product