There is an increase of dengue cases in Jamaica.
Health Minister, Dr Fenton Ferguson who provided an update on the dengue fever cases affecting the country at a press conference yesterday, said up to September 29, there were 1 215 cases of suspected dengue with 45 confirmed cases. Of that number there have been five suspected deaths, with one confirmed.
According to the Ministry of Health, the victim was a 15-year-boy from the corporate area who also had the sickle cell disease.
Meanwhile, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael Coombs urged the public not to panic.
“We have seen an increase and strictly speaking it could be described as an outbreak, however but I would like to make it very clear that compared to the outbreak in 2010 where the numbers were significantly higher, so in that context we would like to think, we’re pretty convinced that out efforts are bearing fruit in terms of restricting the numbers thus far. So yes strictly speaking we are having an outbreak based on the number of suspected cases of dengue.”
In 2010 which was considered an outbreak year, there were three thousand and two suspected cases of dengue fever.
Ferguson also announced that mosquito eradication will continue across the island in an effort to stamp out breeding grounds to combat an epidemic of dengue fever.
Officials have dispatched fumigation trucks to spray roughly 450 neighborhoods and teams are clearing storm drains that are clogged with debris. Thousands of premises have been inspected, Fenton said.
‘‘We have been taking the necessary steps to reduce the mosquito population and limit the impact of the epidemic across the island,’’ he said at the ministry’s offices.
The Government also hopes to enlist young people in the campaign by distributing 400,000 brochures in schools that show how mosquito larvae flourish in stagnant water.
Similar battles are being fought in other parts of the region, including the Dominican Republic and f Puerto Rico, where earlier this week the health department declared an epidemic after nearly 5,000 cases and at least six deaths were reported for 2012.
Dengue victims suffer symptoms like headaches, cramps and severe joint and muscle pain. Most recover after a week, but a severe hemorrhagic form can be fatal. There is no vaccination or cure for dengue, which is also known as ‘‘break-bone fever’’ because of the pain it causes. (CMC)
