Barbadians are taking the escalating threat of dengue fever seriously, possibly thwarting a sharp uptick in the mosquito-borne illness, according to the Ministry of Health.
Senior Medical Officer of Health Dr Leslie Rollock revealed in an interview with Barbados TODAY that although the statistics indicate a surge in cases in recent weeks, the crucial threshold for November has not been breached.
Dr Rollock credited the success to the combined efforts of the Vector Control Unit’s fogging programme and the public’s vigilant adherence to preventive measures.
As of November 11, the Ministry of Health reported 1 126 suspected and 165 confirmed cases of dengue fever. Notably, there have been no reported deaths linked to the viral infection to date, according to the Ministry of Health.
In the month up to October 16, the number of suspected cases stood at 647, a significant increase over the 261 for the same period in 2022.
Dr Rollock said: “We continue to have cases so the numbers will increase, but the numbers for November have not reached threshold levels, so it was not too much of a concern. However, the month is not finished yet so we don’t know if when the month comes to an end, we can say we had an outbreak in November as well. But as previously indicated, we had crossed the threshold for October by a long way and not November as yet.
“As it relates to the decrease, I believe it is due to mosquito control measures, which [don’t] just include killing adult mosquitoes. It also involves looking for the larvae and getting rid of them, which people have been encouraged to do. Since people heard that there is dengue out there, more of them have been using insect repellent as well to stop the mosquitoes from biting them. So I think people are heeding the advice the ministry would have disseminated. In addition to the preventative measures, I also think the fogging has become effective but we wait to see by the end of the month if we go over the threshold. However, it is not looking like last month at all, not even close.”
Dr Rollock encouraged Barbadians not to stop maintaining the preventative measures, even as the ministry reports low numbers for November thus far.
“I want them to continue the measures they have been practising and I want to specify some of those measures,” she said. “Use insect repellent, look for mosquito larvae around the home and if you are noticing a lot of mosquitoes in your neighbourhood, call it in and alert your nearest polyclinic. A lot of mosquitoes doesn’t necessarily mean dengue mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti). I’m not sure if everyone is aware but there is also the Culex mosquito but it doesn’t transmit dengue or anything that we have here in Barbados. We refer to it as the nuisance mosquito because it bites and makes you miserable, but it doesn’t transmit any diseases in Barbados.
“So by alerting the authorities, an inspection can be done to identify the type of mosquitoes you are seeing,” Dr Rollock added.
A check with officials in the Vector Control Unit indicated that Barbadians were receptive to the fogging programme.
“We have been getting good reports from the programme,” an official told Barbados TODAY. “Barbadians are aware of the outbreak so when the fogging truck comes out, they are opening up their homes. The crew members are also walking onto properties and fogging backyards and other areas of people’s homes. So the programme has been going well.”
Earlier this month, fogging took place in several St Lucy communities including Checker Hall Development. Several residents reported increased sightings of mosquitoes due to the heavy downpours.
Some said they and other family members had contracted the virus and were glad to see the fogging truck in their district.
“I don’t mind once these mosquitoes are killed because they give you dengue and cause people to lose lives; so I am 100 per cent for the fogging,” said Rommel Babb. “I even going and open my niece’s home so the fog could go through it.”
Nicole Hinkson said: “I’m glad that the fogging programme has been restarted because I have noticed that since it was discontinued, there has been an increase in mosquitoes. So I am relieved it is running again.”
It has been two years since the last national fogging programme was implemented.
On Friday, it was announced in a government statement that the Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue its fogging exercise next week in St Michael, St Joseph, St Philip and St James.
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb
