Section Collective Prevention Services (CPS) from the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, reports that there have been so far for the year 15 confirmed cases of dengue fever of which one was Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.
Twelve of the cases were registered in the first three months of the year while in 2010 for the same period, 28 confirmed cases were reported and registered.
The months of May, June and August recorded one confirmed case for each month and for July there were zero.
However, for the same period in 2010, May, June and August, 26 confirmed cases were registered and for April and July, a total of 11 cases were registered. In 2010, for the period January to August, there were 75 confirmed cases while for that same period in 2011, there were 15.
The aforementioned numbers should not take away from the fact of implementing preventive measures to eliminate mosquito breeding sources.
The only way to prevent dengue virus transmission is to combat the disease-carrying mosquitoes. CPS is requesting residents to remain vigilant in executing measures in eradicating mosquito breeding places especially where it concerns the cleaning of yards.
The CPS request the collective assistance from the community in protecting themselves, your family and your neighbor from the Aedes Agypti mosquito by means of minimizing mosquito breeding places in their surroundings and close environment.
Preventive actions that every household and each resident should take are: removal of debris, old tires and standing clear/clean water in yards (usually are the main source and breeding ground for mosquitoes bringing about an increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases). These areas should be immediately eliminated.
Immediately check for clear/clean standing water in roof spouts, empty drums, buckets, jars, birdbaths, boats, plant containers, saucers, paint cans and other items that can collect water around your homes and businesses. Where clear/clean standing water exists, one can use small amounts of kerosene, just to cover the surface as a measure to prevent mosquito breeding or just get rid of the container.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that causes a severe flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults, but seldom causes death.
Consultation with your physician is imperative for proper treatment and registration of the dengue fever case to ensure adequate follow-up by CPS.
Immediate diagnosis and reporting of Dengue Fever is helpful to have numeric data and to ensure follow-up.
Eliminating a mosquito breeding source is one of the most appropriate strategy in decreasing the mosquito population.
Anyone requiring information concerning measures to prevent mosquito breeding or to report areas of mosquito breeding place(s), overgrown vegetation etc should immediately call CPS at 542-2078.