MOH – Allow students to wear light-coloured long pants/tights, long-sleeved tops to school

The Ministry of Education is recommending that students be allowed to wear light-coloured long pants/tights and long-sleeved tops to school in a bid to reduce contain the outbreak of Dengue Fever.

This is one of several recommendations issued by the Ministry of Education which said in a release that it is working closely with the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment to address the ongoing Dengue Fever outbreak in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). As of Thursday, August 22, 2024, there were 542 laboratory confirmed cases of Dengue Fever in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Surveillance Committee of the Ministry of Health reports that the current increase in Dengue Fever cases was noted in May, 2024, and was declared an epidemic in July, 2024.

Cases of Dengue Fever have been reported in all health districts, the greatest number being in Calliaqua, Kingstown and Pembroke, with most persons affected being in the age group 0-33 years.

The Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which carries the Dengue Fever virus, typically bites during the daytime when persons are active. Therefore, bites can occur at home, work and school.

In view of the current situation, the Ministry of Education said it is recommending the following measures in an attempt to reduce the risk of Dengue Fever infection in schools which are due to reopen soon.

School leaders should:

1. Facilitate the reduction of the breeding of the mosquito at school by:

• Discarding stagnant water collected in containers around the school compound; and properly covering stored water.

2. Reduce rubbish and overgrown bush around the school.

3. Encourage the use of insect repellent with careful consideration for those with respiratory challenges.

4. Allow students to wear light-coloured long pants/tights and long-sleeved tops.

5. Open schools to allow increased effectiveness of fogging by the Vector Control Unit.

6. Encourage the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) teachers to include Dengue Fever prevention in their lessons.

7. Inform the Health Nursing

Supervisors of staff and students who have been diagnosed with Dengue 2Fever.

The Ministry of Education said further that it is committed to working closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff in SVG during this dengue fever outbreak, and urges all schools to implement the recommended measures. Also, that schools encourage parents and guardians to support these efforts by educating their children about Dengue prevention and ensuring they take the necessary precautions.