Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines: The Ministry of Health and Wellness has informed the citizens about the dengue fever outbreak in the country.
On Friday the Ministry revealed that so far, the Epidemiology Unit has recorded 119 cases of dengue fever. Out of which 23 cases were recorded in June and 82 had been reported in July.
It is to be noted that the last outbreak that the region witnessed was three years ago, which claimed the lives of seven residents, the majority of them were children.
Further, the ministry said that the data recorded by the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment (MOHWE) show that this year, the number of cases exceeded the expected number, following which the ministry declared it a dengue fever outbreak.
To aware the public about the same the health ministry has advised to take all the precautionary measures during the summer vacations to prevent the spread of vector borne diseases.
For the ongoing month of August, the residents are reminded that the country is in the middle of hurricane season and the month of August is likely to be hotter than normal.
Additionally, these weather conditions can form ideal breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Dengue Fever, Zika and Chik V are carried by this mosquito.
To overcome the spread and fight against the dengue virus, the MOHWE has implemented the several public health measures that include, increased surveillance, increased public awareness, GIS mapping and targeted source reduction.
The ministry has also planned to strengthen the capacity of human resources that are working at the vector control unit. This will help in reduction and increased fogging exercise.
Currently, a private company has been contacted for additional support in the ongoing fogging throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The authorities have also urged the residents to search and destroy the breeding sites or inform them about the potential breeding sites.
The ministry has also advised that the children, pregnant women and elderly must take extra care and precautions and visit the medical care instantly in case anyone experiences any symptoms.