Residents advised to take precautions as dengue cases rise

As health authorities continue to monitor the rise in dengue fever cases, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr The Honourable Kenneth George is appealing to Barbadians to report if they are ill and suspect they have the viral infection.

He said it is essential that Barbadians who may be experiencing the common symptoms of dengue report their case to health authorities to allow for the effective management of the public health concern.

“We need the cooperation from households in Barbados, not only for source reduction but also for when they are sick and ill. They need to share their information with the Ministry of Health so that we can do the appropriate investigations.

“What happens is that environmental health officers go into communities in Barbados and take information; we want to know contact information. So simple things like that help along the way. We are not using the information to share with any other entities; we are just using the information to protect public health,” he said.

Dr George addressed the matter on Tuesday following the official handover of $1.3 million in medical equipment donated to Barbados through the India-United Nations Fund and UN Office for South-South Cooperation.

Noting that Barbados was not the only country monitoring a dengue outbreak at this time, the CMO said residents should seek to engage in self-protection measures while ensuring that their homes and immediate surroundings are not mosquito breeding grounds.

While there have been no suspected deaths from dengue fever since the outbreak started in September, Dr George said the Ministry of Health and Wellness has ramped up its fogging programme.

Noting that there have been increased mosquito breeding sites across communities in St Michael, the Oistins areas, and parts of the south of the island, he said it was necessary for householders to assist in the effort by opening their doors and windows to allow the fog to enter.

Dr George stressed that householders must keep in and outside their homes free of mosquito breeding sites.

“I have gone into households and seen people have plants in water, and when you look, it is full of mosquito larvae,” he said.

On Monday, the health ministry reported that the latest available data showed that there were 647 suspected dengue cases up to October 16 this year, significantly higher than the 261 for the same period in 2022.

It said that in light of recent showers and the prediction by the Barbados Meteorological Service of more rains for the coming week, Barbadians should maintain a high level of vigilance regarding their surroundings at home, work, school, church, and other settings.
(AH)