Dengue Outbreak: cases increase; DART Team revises priorities;
DART Team re-emphasizes to Residents to take measures to prevent mosquito breeding
Dengue Action Response Team (DART), a multidisciplinary planning team, met on Friday to review its control and response actions based on the latest number regarding confirmed dengue cases. The meeting was opened by Public Health Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus.
Up to the first week of October, there were 14 laboratory confirmed cases of dengue fever. If this trend continues on a per week basis, the number of cases for October could be over 60. For the month of September, the number of confirmed dengue cases went from 27 â?? first three weeks – to 48 laboratory confirmed cases.
There are three serotypes of dengue circulating on the island, namely DEN-1, DEN-2 and DEN-4. This also increases the risk for Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF).
The DART team has scaled up its dengue prevention response and control measures based on the dramatic increase in the number of cases reported.
Residents are strongly advised to continue to take urgent preventative measures against mosquito breeding in order to stem any further increase in the number of dengue cases on the island.
Those attending the Friday meeting were from SHCA, Sector Environmental Development (ROB), the Departments of Social Welfare & Labour, the Government Information Service, and the Tourism Department.
During Fridayâ??s meeting, Stanley Hanson (DSDS) and Stephane Barlerin (DSDS) from the French side were present to give an overview of activities on the North side of the island.
Anyone requiring information concerning measures to prevent mosquito breeding or to report areas of standing water, overgrown vegetation etc should immediately call the Hygiene Department at 542-2079.