The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has pledged USD$500,000 to help Jamaica fight its current dengue outbreak.
The initial investment was announced by US Ambassador to Jamaica Nick Perry last week during a dengue community intervention event at the Flankers Primary School in Montego Bay.
According to USAID, the funds will be used to provide “mosquito repellent, mosquito nets, and covers for water drums” to almost 1,000 schools in communities most impacted by the viral infection at the moment.
“The United States and Jamaica have a very strong friendship… a long-standing one,” said Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Chris Tufton.
“This coming together is a testament to that friendship and a commitment to deal with challenges as partners should whenever they arise. Again, on behalf of the Government, I just want to say thank you,” he added.
According to the Health Minister, the dengue outbreak — which was declared in September — is likely to last until the first quarter of next year.
Dengue in Jamaica
Since the outbreak was declared, the ministry began its dengue outbreak mitigation plan, which includes a public education campaign, clinical management, destroying mosquito breeding sites (primarily located in the homes of residents and schools), and community fogging.
The number of presumed, confirmed, and suspected cases of dengue has now increased to 1117: of that number, 160 are confirmed cases.
The dominant strain of the virus is dengue type 2, which hasn’t been detected on the island since 2010. Dr. Tufton explained that because the strain hasn’t been found on the island in over a decade, the younger population is more vulnerable to that strain.
The health ministry says the 5 –14 age cohort continues to be the most affected by the infection.
Read more:
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As of October 2, 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 outbreak, which has caused an influx of cases at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston.
So far one dengue-related death has been confirmed, with three other deaths suspected to be from the infection.
