Dengue fever fear

KINGSTON, Jamaica – THE Opposition Peoples National Party has renewed its call for the Government to step up its emergency mosquito vector control programme in the face of a possible dengue fever outbreak. Persistent showers in recent weeks have resulted in an upsurge in mosquito infestation and in a release to the media, opposition spokesman on health, Dr Fenton Ferguson said although the Ministry had made some attempt at activating its Emergency Response Programme, the level of funding and the schedule for oiling and defogging was a drop in the bucket. Ferguson said the most vulnerable areas of the country must be given special attention. “The parishes of Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine and St Thomas must be given priority,” the release said. (Jamaica Observer)