Grenada records significant increase in dengue fever cases

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The Ministry of Health in Grenada has reported a significant increase in the number of Dengue Fever cases.

Grenada’s acting Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shawn Charles, says data for Epidemiology Week #18 indicated that there were 20 reported cases.

The CMO advised that while Health Surveillance Officers and Vector Control intervention resources are deployed, measures are being taken to control further increases as the Ministry keeps a close eye on the situation.

According to Dr Charles, eight people have been hospitalised with dengue fever with three being listed as severe.

CMO Charles told the GIS that the Ministry’s current data revealed that the ages mostly affected are 5 to 14 years and 25 to 44 years.

He explained that 50 per cent of the hospitalised cases of dengue fever are from the parish of St Andrew. St George and St Patrick have accounted for 25 per cent each.

As a consequence, the public is advised to protect themselves from mosquito bites and take all the necessary preventative measures possible.

“It is very important for members of the public to protect themselves, by using approved insect repellants, mosquito nets and by wearing long-sleeved clothing, but most of all it is vitally important for people to ensure that their surroundings are clean and that they destroy existing and potential mosquito breeding sites.”

Meanwhile, in an effort to prevent a major outbreak of dengue and other mosquito-related illness, on the island, on Saturday officers from the Vector Control Department of the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Religious Affairs (MOHWARA), conducted fogging operations in the Parish of St Andrew, where there is a noted increase in the mosquito population and reported cases of Dengue.

Yesterday’s operations had targeted the communities of Mirabeau, Paradise, Mt Horne, and Salisbury. The operation which also includes other forms of interventions continued on Sunday in St Andrew.

The (MOHWARA) is requesting the cooperation and support of homeowners/residents where operations are being conducted.

Persons with medical conditions such as Asthma and other respiratory conditions are advised to notify the fogging teams before fogging commences.

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1 COMMENT

  1. Mr. Minister of health, Molwyn Joseph please get up off your laurel & get the people’s business done. Are you still acting the reactive mode rather than a proactive mode. Sir, when our neighbors sneeze we tend to catch a cold. Mosquitoes is now on the rise and there is no sight of any Vector Control intervention resources in the various communities

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