Dengue fever warning

A South West man is still suffering symptoms of dengue fever after contracting the virus more than six months ago.

Darryl Isard, whoworks at the Bunbury Farmers Market, was struck downwith the illness after a holiday in Thailand and wants to warn travellers to make sure they protected themselves.

‘‘It’s not just Bali,’’ Mr Isard said of catching the potentially deadly virus.

Mr Isard and his wife Chris travelled to Phi Phi Island for Mr Isard’s 50th birthday.

Mr Isard was not aware he had been bitten by a dengue mosquito until he started to feel ill on his return to his West Busselton home.

MrIsard recalled violent headaches, a 39.5C temperature, a bleeding nose, aching muscles and cramps which started one day after returning to the South West.

He was taken to hospital where it was discovered he had one of the four strains of dengue fever.

There is no vaccine for dengue fever and no treatment to relieve symptoms, so Mr Isard was placed on a saline drip and paracetamol.

However, with the help of his wife, he found relief in the use of homeopathic treatments.

Mr Isard said while the severe symptoms had gone, he still felt lethargic and suffered joint pain, especially after working long shifts.

‘‘I think I’m very, very lucky I’m still here,’’ he said.

Mr Isard said while he was now immune to the one particular strain of dengue, if he caught one of the other three strains, it could be fatal.

‘‘I want everyone to know about dengue,’’ he said.

‘‘I had no idea before I got it. I heard about malaria but not about this.’’

WA Country Health South West Population Health director Andrea Hickert said Mr Isard was one of 33 cases of dengue fever reported in the South West from January 1, 2010 to the middle of January this year.

‘‘There have been nine cases over the seasonal holiday months from last November through to today’s date,’’ she said.

‘‘All cases were contracted on overseas holidays to Bali (23) or elsewhere in South East Asia (10),’’ Ms Hickert said.

To avoid being bitten by the dengue mosquito, which usually bites during the day, travellers should wear a tropical-strength personal repellent, mosquito-proof their accommodation and wear light-coloured clothing.