Dengue instances in Jamaica have now surpassed 3,000, with extra confirmed instances than the final two main outbreaks, in accordance with well being authorities.
Throughout a press convention on Thursday, Minister of Well being and Wellness Dr. Christopher Tufton famous that as of November 6, there have been 3,147 suspected, presumed, and confirmed instances of dengue on the island. Some 870 of that quantity are confirmed instances.
There have been a complete of 9 dengue deaths for the reason that outbreak was first declared in September. Nonetheless, the minister famous that no deaths have been recorded up to now two weeks. Throughout the final week, over 70 individuals have been hospitalized with dengue signs.
Tufton mentioned that dengue varieties 2, 3, and 4 have been discovered within the inhabitants however it’s kind 2 that is still the dominant pressure. All of the parishes proceed to watch will increase in dengue instances in 2023, in comparison with 2022.
Jamaica’s chief medical officer (CMO), Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie famous that this present outbreak has the best variety of confirmed instances, compared to earlier main outbreaks in 2019 (179 confirmed instances) and 2016 (190 confirmed instances).
She mentioned that it is a results of the island’s elevated capability to check for dengue. Throughout earlier outbreaks, the island needed to rely on testing and getting outcomes from the Caribbean Public Well being Company in Trinidad.
Dengue mitigation measures proceed
For the reason that outbreak was declared in September, a complete of 461 communities have been fogged so far, with a further 115 high-risk communities receiving fogging, in accordance with Minister Tufton. Excessive-risk communities are decided by the place the index is highest, he mentioned.
Morning and night fogging classes are only one a part of the ministry’s dengue outbreak mitigation plan, which features a public training marketing campaign on dengue, medical administration, destroying mosquito breeding websites (primarily situated within the houses of residents), drain cleansing, and waste removing.
The Ministry of Wellness has requested residents to play their half in guaranteeing that the instances are minimized by monitoring water storage containers for mosquito breeding; maintaining environment freed from particles; destroying or treating potential mosquito breeding websites; carrying protecting clothes, and utilizing a DEET-containing mosquito repellent.
The minister has additionally urged residents to not self-treat themselves if they believe that they’ve dengue, however to go to a well being facility and search medical recommendation.
