Chikungunya, a peculiar name and a peculiar viral-borne disease caused by the bite of the Aedes mosquito which is in the same family of mosquitoes that causes dengue. Some of you may remember that Tim had dengue when we lived in Asia and that he was pretty sick for about 6 weeks. It started with a high fever and a headache; then moved on to terrible body aching; next a rash broke out over his mid-section; he experienced extreme fatigue; and then lastly the bottoms of his feet began peeling!
In November of last year, Tim came down with another fever and headache, rash on his mid-section and had overall body aching. He kept saying he felt like he had dengue but within 4 days or so he felt better. At that time we thought it was just "one of those things" but we now believe it was Chikungunya because we have talked with several others who say they, too, had similar symptoms last fall.
Haiti is now in full epidemic mode and we recently heard that some 80% of the country has taken ill since the mosquito traveled through the Dominican Republic to our part of the island and is now, reportedly, moving on to south Florida. We have had countless friends and colleagues who have been bitten and the most common statement about the virus is that they feel "like I have been hit by a truck." Most have been down for a week or so and symptoms are varied but have included high fever; very bad headaches; rashes on the body; SEVERE body pain that has even kept some from being able to walk; ulcers in the mouth; and swollen glands.
We have been told the best protection against the disease-carrying mosquitoes is to use repellents that have at least 25% DEET in them, to wear long sleeves and trousers (yikes! It is 90 degrees here!) and to use air-conditioners (we have no electricity at night!) Thankfully though, we have had a man come and spray both the house and the property surrounding us and have not seen mosquitoes or ants (rampant in the kitchen!) for nearly 2 weeks now.
Even as I tease about the extra clothing with the hot temps and not having electricity for an air conditioner we know we are well off compared to the many who are so vulnerable (we know of a 2-day old baby who was bitten by the mosquito). So many of our neighbors and friends do not have screens or glass on their windows as they live in tents and makeshift shacks. Nor do they have the money to buy citronella candles to ward off the insects and those who struggle daily to even be able to buy rice are not able to pay the US $10 per can for mosquito repellent with DEET.
The government has made public announcements about the disease to educate communities and has also made an effort to fumigate various parts of the country to reduce mosquito populations. Many mission programs have supported these efforts by distributing informational documents by hand and publishing the same information online in both Creole and French on ways to protect oneself. They, too, have sprayed around their communities and orphanages. Additionally, visiting mission teams have brought cans of the repellent with DEET to share with those in need.
We invite you to pray for those who are most at risk for contracting this virus and ask that you remember the children and the elderly who do not have immune systems as strong as others. Remember, too, the mothers and fathers who must work to be able to provide for their families as they cannot afford to be incapacitated for a week.
In a nation of so little the gift of prayer is one of the true riches that people are able to hold on to. Please know how much our Haitian brothers and sisters appreciate hearing of your concern and support.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
In November of last year, Tim came down with another fever and headache, rash on his mid-section and had overall body aching. He kept saying he felt like he had dengue but within 4 days or so he felt better. At that time we thought it was just "one of those things" but we now believe it was Chikungunya because we have talked with several others who say they, too, had similar symptoms last fall.
Haiti is now in full epidemic mode and we recently heard that some 80% of the country has taken ill since the mosquito traveled through the Dominican Republic to our part of the island and is now, reportedly, moving on to south Florida. We have had countless friends and colleagues who have been bitten and the most common statement about the virus is that they feel "like I have been hit by a truck." Most have been down for a week or so and symptoms are varied but have included high fever; very bad headaches; rashes on the body; SEVERE body pain that has even kept some from being able to walk; ulcers in the mouth; and swollen glands.
We have been told the best protection against the disease-carrying mosquitoes is to use repellents that have at least 25% DEET in them, to wear long sleeves and trousers (yikes! It is 90 degrees here!) and to use air-conditioners (we have no electricity at night!) Thankfully though, we have had a man come and spray both the house and the property surrounding us and have not seen mosquitoes or ants (rampant in the kitchen!) for nearly 2 weeks now.
Even as I tease about the extra clothing with the hot temps and not having electricity for an air conditioner we know we are well off compared to the many who are so vulnerable (we know of a 2-day old baby who was bitten by the mosquito). So many of our neighbors and friends do not have screens or glass on their windows as they live in tents and makeshift shacks. Nor do they have the money to buy citronella candles to ward off the insects and those who struggle daily to even be able to buy rice are not able to pay the US $10 per can for mosquito repellent with DEET.
The government has made public announcements about the disease to educate communities and has also made an effort to fumigate various parts of the country to reduce mosquito populations. Many mission programs have supported these efforts by distributing informational documents by hand and publishing the same information online in both Creole and French on ways to protect oneself. They, too, have sprayed around their communities and orphanages. Additionally, visiting mission teams have brought cans of the repellent with DEET to share with those in need.
We invite you to pray for those who are most at risk for contracting this virus and ask that you remember the children and the elderly who do not have immune systems as strong as others. Remember, too, the mothers and fathers who must work to be able to provide for their families as they cannot afford to be incapacitated for a week.
In a nation of so little the gift of prayer is one of the true riches that people are able to hold on to. Please know how much our Haitian brothers and sisters appreciate hearing of your concern and support.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Philippians 4: 6
No comments:
Post a Comment