Dengue Outbreak Mitigation Plan Activated

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has initiated its Dengue Outbreak Mitigation Plan, which involves search-and-destroy operations, clinical management, workforce management, surveillance, and public education.

“The aim of the plan is to reduce the impact of the dengue outbreak on the population,” said Portfolio Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton.

“Already, approximately 500 temporary vector-control workers have been engaged and deployed across the island to high-risk communities along with some 213 permanent workers. An additional 600 temporary workers are now being engaged to increase the search-and-destroy and health-education component of the response,” he informed.

Dr. Tufton was speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (October 3).

He informed that the National Health Emergency Operations Centre, as well as the health emergency operations centres in all parishes, have been activated.

These facilities will provide critical surveillance information as well as manage interventions in high-risk areas of all parishes.

“The Ministry has also developed a public information campaign that includes targeted messages related to search-and-destroy actions around homes and places that have high density for human interaction, how to protect children and the warning signs for severe dengue, how to treat dengue and the types of drugs to be used, and personal responsibility around dengue mitigation in our surroundings,” Dr. Tufton told the House.

He further informed that regional teams from both the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Ministry of Education and Youth have met and decided on several actions, including a meeting of school principals for greater coordination, training of school personnel in search-and-destroy actions, and the removal of bulky waste from school property.