No Increase in Dengue Cases

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is reassuring the public that despite the uptick in mosquito numbers in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, there has not been an increase in dengue cases across the country.

Following a tour and official opening of a newly refurbished operating theatre at the Falmouth Public General Hospital in Trelawny on Friday, July 26, Dr. Tufton said that vigilance, as well as proactive environmental management, remains crucial, as the increase in mosquito population still poses a potential risk.

In the meantime, Dr. Tufton said the vector-management team in Trelawny has been a crucial component of the response effort.

He outlined that the parish currently has a team of 68 vector-control workers, 12 permanent and 56 temporary, and there are plans to expand this workforce to about 100.

Dr. Tufton said there are four operational vehicles and 12 fogging machines, with plans for additional vehicles and two new vehicle-mounted fogging machines, to increase efficiency and coverage.

“My understanding is that you have 10 [vector-control] teams going out each day. Five days a week they do mornings and seven days a week they do evenings. So, it means that you’re covering a number of communities,” he added.

The Minister also emphasised the importance of larvicidal measures such as oiling and using larvicidal tablets in water containers.

Dr. Tufton also called on citizens to cooperate with vector-control workers and play their part in eliminating mosquito breeding sites, advising residents to remove stagnant water from containers like vases and old tyres and to use insect repellent for personal protection.

“It is not that mosquitoes will go away, but we can reduce the population [in the coming weeks] with consistency,” he pointed out.