Dengue Fever Warning

Details

What Ails You

Tuesday, 16 October 2012 02:30

By Carol Williams

Antigua St. John's - No case of dengue fever has been reported in Antigua & Barbuda for 2012, Chief Health Inspector Lionel Michael has said, while urging residents to be more responsible with their disposal of waste.

Michael said the increase in rainfall has created an environment in which mosquitoes, such as the Aedes Aegypti that transmits dengue fever, can thrive.

With dengue fever being endemic to the country, the health official said, residents must be careful how they get rid of garbage.

"There isn't an outbreak however it (dengue fever) is something for all of us to be concerned about because we have the mosquito that transmits it here and we have to be responsible," he said.

"What we can do is to take care of the water containers in and around our homes and things like drums, tires, rubbish, flower pots and bulk waste containers."

In Jamaica, there have been five suspected deaths from the mosquito-borne virus so far this year while more than 1,200 suspected cases have been reported.

Over in Puerto Rico at least 4,800 suspected cases of dengue have already been reported.

Since April, this country's Central Board of Health has been on a major campaign unclogging drains at Grays Farm, Potters, Bolans, Skerretts Pasture, Bendals and other areas.

Michael said that process has uncovered poor disposal habits of some residents.

"We have debris in the drains from old fridges, freezers, computers, stoves, old mattresses especially those that run through Cashew Hill. Not only that but they create flood conditions and breeding sites for mosquitoes," he said.

The Central Board of Health has an ongoing vector control programme in which inspection teams visit households to conduct checks and educate residents about the insect, identify and treat premises with mosquito infestation and carry out daily fumigation.

An oiling team also goes around and deals with pastures and ponds where water is stagnant.

The Ministry of Health yesterday urged individuals experiencing dengue fever symptom such as high fever, headache and joint pain, severe pain at the back of the eyes, vomiting, and rash to quickly seek medical attention.

See related stories:

Dengue Prevention Needs Some Attention

• < Prev
• Next >