Title: Dengue Fever Outbreak Declared in Jamaica
Date: Sep. 24, 2023
By: Greg Norman, Fox News
Jamaica is currently facing an outbreak of dengue fever, with health officials reporting at least 565 suspected, presumed, and confirmed cases of the disease in the Caribbean nation. The Ministry of Health and Wellness in Jamaica declared the outbreak after surpassing the dengue epidemic threshold for July and August, and they expect to do the same for September.
The dominant strain identified in Jamaica is Dengue Type 2, which last predominated in 2010. So far, no dengue-related deaths have been classified, but six deaths are currently under investigation. Health officials have confirmed at least 78 cases of the mosquito-borne disease in the country.
To combat the outbreak, Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness has deployed approximately 500 temporary vector control workers to high-risk communities, along with 213 permanent workers. These efforts are aimed at reducing the mosquito population responsible for spreading the disease.
Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus, which is primarily spread through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in four infected individuals will experience mild symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, rash, aches, and pains. The recovery period typically lasts about a week.
However, around one in twenty individuals who contract the virus may develop severe dengue, which can lead to shock, internal bleeding, and even death. To prepare for a possible outbreak, the Ministry of Health and Regional Health Authorities in Jamaica have made necessary preparations and are urging the public to take preventive measures.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito, known to transmit dengue fever, breeds in any containerized environment that can hold water, such as drums, tires, buckets, and animal feeding containers. The Ministry is advising individuals to monitor water storage containers for mosquito breeding, keep surroundings free of debris, destroy or treat potential mosquito breeding sites, wear protective clothing, use mosquito repellent, and, as much as possible, stay indoors at dusk with windows and doors closed.
The situation in Jamaica highlights the importance of ongoing efforts to control mosquito populations and raise awareness about preventive measures to reduce the spread of dengue fever. The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue to monitor and address the outbreak to ensure the safety and well-being of the population.
For more information on dengue fever and its prevention, individuals are encouraged to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website or consult with local health authorities.