The St Kitts and Nevis authorities is now on alert for a possible dengue outbreak after the nation not too long ago skilled a rise in rainfall related to the passage of Tropical Storm Philippe.
An announcement issued by the nation’s Ministry of Well being additional famous that improve in rainfall is commonly related to a rise in mosquito vector ranges and a rise in threat of unfold of mosquito-related ailments akin to dengue, zika and chikungunya.
“The Caribbean Public Well being Company (CARPHA) has reported an upsurge in laboratory confirmed circumstances of dengue within the area and dengue outbreaks have been reported in three CARPHA member states,” the ministry mentioned in its assertion.
It added: “Dengue viral an infection is brought on by the dengue virus which is transmitted primarily by feminine mosquitoes of the species, Aedes aegypti which is prevalent within the Federation. St Kitts – Nevis is in danger for a dengue outbreak.”
The Ministry of Well being mentioned via its Environmental Well being Departments, it can search to strengthen its mosquito surveillance efforts to scale back the danger of mosquito-related ailments.
The ministry mentioned that the Federation had reported three laboratory confirmed circumstances of dengue throughout this previous week.
Dengue within the Caribbean
A number of different Caribbean nations, most notable, Barbados, Guyana and Jamaica, have reported an outbreak in dengue fever in latest instances.
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Dengue is a flu-like sickness that impacts infants, younger youngsters and adults. Signs normally start 4 to 10 days after being bitten by a dengue contaminated mosquito. The signs embody excessive fever, complications, ache behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains and pores and skin rash.
The sickness can evolve into extreme dengue, characterised by intense and steady belly ache, persistent vomiting, and mucosal bleeding.
Up to now, one particular person has died of the an infection in Jamaica, whereas in Guyana, two youngsters succumbed to dengue infections.
– CMC
