Well being authorities have confirmed an outbreak of dengue fever in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, three years after the final outbreak claimed not less than seven lives, principally youngsters.
The Ministry of Well being, Wellness, and the Atmosphere reported on Friday that its Epidemiology Unit has recorded 119 circumstances of dengue fever to date in 2024, with 23 circumstances reported in June and 82 in July.
“Based mostly on the epidemiological information, the variety of lab-confirmed circumstances of dengue fever has exceeded the anticipated threshold, indicating that there’s a dengue fever outbreak in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” the ministry said.
The ministry is urging the general public to comply with fundamental precautionary measures to forestall the unfold of vector-borne illnesses throughout the summer time trip.
“As we method August, the general public is reminded that we’re nonetheless throughout the hurricane season, and August is anticipated to be hotter than regular. These climate patterns can create supreme breeding websites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries dengue fever, Zika, and chikungunya,” the ministry added in a press assertion.
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To fight the unfold of the dengue virus, the federal government has elevated public consciousness and well being schooling efforts and enhanced surveillance, together with using GIS mapping for focused supply discount. The federal government can be bolstering the vector management unit with further employees for supply discount and elevated fogging workouts throughout St Vincent.
A non-public firm has been contracted to help the vector management unit for fogging and supply discount within the Southern Grenadines, an effort that’s at present ongoing.
“We’re calling on all owners and group teams to seek for and destroy mosquito breeding websites or potential breeding websites in and round their properties,” the ministry urged.
Individuals liable to extreme dengue fever signs, resembling youngsters, pregnant girls, and the aged, particularly these with restricted mobility, are suggested to take further precautionary measures because the virus may be lethal.
“The Ministry will proceed to observe the scenario carefully on the native, regional, and worldwide ranges and can present updates to the general public accordingly,” the press assertion concluded.
Learn: Latin America and the Caribbean experiences record dengue cases
