Dengue cases are on the rise in Jamaica, with the island now having recorded some 2,763 suspected, presumed and confirmed cases.
The numbers were reported by the island’s Ministry of Health and Wellness as of November 1.
Of that number, 694 are confirmed, with dengue type two continuing to be the dominant strain.
At the same time, the total number of dengue-related deaths now stands at nine – seven classified as suspected and two as confirmed.
All the parishes continue to observe increases in dengue cases in 2023, compared to 2022, with Kingston and St Andrew reporting the highest number of cases (695) for 2023.
However, St Thomas maintains the highest case rate of 363.4 per 100,000 population, followed by Portland (211.2 per 100,000) and Trelawny (152.0 per 100,000).
Meanwhile, of the suspected, presumed and confirmed cases, there were more males than females, with the highest number of cases observed in the 5–14-year-old cohort at a rate of 317.4 cases per 100,000 population.
Dengue mitigation plan
Since the outbreak was declared in September, the ministry began its 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), and community fogging.
The Ministry of Wellness has asked to play their part in ensuring that the 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.
As of last month, children under the age of 18 years are being treated for free at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Chris Tufton said previously that the measure is in response to the dengue outbreak, which has caused an influx of cases at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston.
Tufton said he is anticipating that the dengue outbreak will last through to the end of the year, and likely end in the first quarter of 2024.
