MOH declares dengue fever outbreak; over 80 cases in July

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment (MOHWE) has declared a dengue fever outbreak as figures show an increase in dengue fever cases recorded so far for this year.

In a press release dated August 2, 2024 the Ministry said the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment (MOHWE) said a total of 119 Dengue Fever cases were recorded so far for this year. Of these numbers, 23 cases were recorded in June and 82 cases in July.

“Based on the epidemiological data, the number of lab confirmed cases of dengue fever has exceeded the threshold of the number expected indicating that there is a dengue fever outbreak in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” the release stated.

The MOHWE advised the public to follow and adhere to all the basic precautionary measures to prevent the spread of vector borne diseases during the summer vacation.

“As we approach the month of August the public is reminded that we are still within the hurricane season and August is expected to be hotter than normal. These weather patterns can create ideal breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito. This mosquito carries Dengue Fever, Zika and Chik V.”

The MOHWE has implemented the following public health measures:

1. Increased public awareness and health education interventions across SVG for various

target groups.

2. Increased surveillance including the use of GIS mapping for more targeted source

reduction.

3. Strengthening our human resource capacity at the vector control unit with additional staff

for source reduction and increased fogging exercise across St Vincent.

4. At present a private company has been contracted to provide additional support to the

vector control unit for fogging and source reduction in the Southern Grenadines. This is

currently ongoing.

The Ministry is calling on homeowners, community groups to search and destroy mosquito breeding sites or those with the potential to become breeding sites in and around your settings.

Persons at risk of experiencing severe symptoms of Dengue Fever are children, pregnant women and the elderly especially those with limited mobility are asked to take extra precautionary measures as the virus can be deadly.

The CARPHA, in a regional media conference last month, said dengue fever cases across the world have increased significantly.