Health authorities have confirmed an outbreak of dengue fever in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, three years after the last outbreak claimed at least seven lives, mostly children.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and the Environment reported on Friday that its Epidemiology Unit has recorded 119 cases of dengue fever so far in 2024, with 23 cases reported in June and 82 in July.
“Based on the epidemiological data, the number of lab-confirmed cases of dengue fever has exceeded the expected threshold, indicating that there is a dengue fever outbreak in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” the ministry stated.
The ministry is urging the public to follow basic precautionary measures to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases during the summer vacation.
“As we approach August, the public is reminded that we are still within the hurricane season, and August is expected to be hotter than normal. These weather patterns can create ideal breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries dengue fever, Zika, and chikungunya,” the ministry added in a press statement.
To combat the spread of the dengue virus, the government has increased public awareness and health education efforts and enhanced surveillance, including the use of GIS mapping for targeted source reduction. The government is also bolstering the vector control unit with additional staff for source reduction and increased fogging exercises across St Vincent.
A private company has been contracted to support the vector control unit for fogging and source reduction in the Southern Grenadines, an effort that is currently ongoing.
“We are calling on all homeowners and community groups to search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites or potential breeding sites in and around their properties,” the ministry urged.
People at risk of severe dengue fever symptoms, such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly, especially those with limited mobility, are advised to take extra precautionary measures as the virus can be deadly.
“The Ministry will continue to monitor the situation closely at the local, regional, and international levels and will provide updates to the public accordingly,” the press statement concluded.
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