Two die as dengue cases surpass 800

Two people have reportedly died as a result of dengue fever as national efforts to fight the vector borne illness continue to be ramped up nation-wide.

Six weeks after the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment declared a dengue fever outbreak in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), a multi-sectoral approach has been employed to curb the national outbreak and decrease the number of hospitalizations.

Up to September 12, 2024, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment had recorded 833 dengue fever cases. A total of 36 people were hospitalized, and two deaths recorded. One confirmed dengue-fever death is an 18-year-old male with pre-existing conditions, while the other, a suspected case, is a female over age 80, also with pre-existing conditions.

A recent release from the Ministry of Health noted that the current epidemiological week shows a slight reduction in cases with 88 cases recorded.

The message of “cover, screen, turn over” is being promoted by environmental health officials across mainland St Vincent as well as in the Grenadines as part of the ‘Do Your Part’ campaign.

An increase in community inspections, fogging exercises, community awareness sessions, as well as amended dress codes for students are part of the efforts by the Vector Control Unit, the Ministry of Education, and the Health Promotions Unit in the Ministry of Health to lower the number of cases.

The Health Promotion Unit led a series of health promotion sessions in communities prior to the opening of schools, and also attended Professional Development sessions with the teachers to share key messages.

The Unit has conducted more than 25 community sessions reaching 4,500 persons across SVG including in Bequia and Union Island, and additional sessions are expected to be done.

In Bequia, the Vector Control Unit facilitated a week-long training programme where eight new vector control officers were trained.

Speaking on NBC Radio’s Face-to-Face programme at the start of the school term, head of the Health Promotions Unit, Shanika John, said the Ministry is working to empower communities to take action to fight the illness.

Student at the Kingstown Preparatory School in dress code.

She encouraged Parent/Teacher Associations and other groups which work closely with schools, to do their part in ensuring school surroundings are maintained and do not become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

In addition to the amended dress code which allows students to wear long sleeved shirts and long pants, the Ministry is also encouraging the use of insect repellents during the school day.