Jamaica has now surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases of dengue, according to a statement from the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
As of November 30, there were 1,301 confirmed Dengue cases in Jamaica, the ministry said, along with 12 Dengue-related deaths – eight of which have been classified as suspected and four as confirmed.
Kingston & St. Andrew has reported the highest number of cases for 2023 at 1,232. At the same time, St Thomas continues with the highest rate of 541.4 cases per 100,000 population.
The highest number of cases continues to be observed in the 5–14-year-old cohort at a rate of 623.1 cases per 100,000 population.
Dengue treatment and safety measures
The ministry is again reminding the public that Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease that is usually a mild illness in which a person may get a fever, headache, joint, and muscle pains.
“Rest and adequate hydration are usually enough to see one through the period of illness. The recommended treatment for the fever is acetaminophen/paracetamol,” it said in a statement.
The ministry has also urged residents not to self-treat themselves if they suspect that they have dengue, but to visit a health facility and seek medical advice.
It also urged people to play their part by checking for and eliminating mosquito breeding sites in their surroundings.
“Persons are asked to play their part in ensuring that the Dengue cases are minimized by monitoring water storage containers for mosquito breeding; keeping surroundings free of debris; destroying or treating potential mosquito breeding sites; wearing protective clothing and using a DEET containing mosquito repellent,” the statement read.
Dengue mitigation measures continue
Since the outbreak was declared in September, over 400 communities have been fogged to date, according to Minister of Health Christopher Tufton.
Morning and evening fogging sessions are just one part of the ministry’s dengue outbreak mitigation plan, which includes a public education campaign on dengue, clinical management, destroying mosquito breeding sites (primarily located in the homes of residents), drain cleaning, and waste removal.
Read: COVID-19, dengue, and flu putting pressure on Jamaican health care system, says Tufton
