Renee Sewell

September 27, 2023

Jamaica: latest dengue hotspot

On Friday, September 23, 2023, the Ministry of Health  declared a dengue fever outbreak in Jamaica via a press release. At least 565 cases have been suspected, and confirmed.

 

According to the Ministry of Health, Jamaica has surpassed the threshold that constitutes a dengue epidemic during July and August, projecting the same for September.  The report states, there has been a record increase of dengue cases contrary to the norm during this time of year.

 

The strain of dengue making its rounds on the island is type 2. To date, there has been no recorded case of dengue-related death. However, 6 cases are currently under investigation by the Ministry.

 

Citizens are cautioned to protect themselves against the virus. Firstly, look out for symptoms such as high fever, headache, body ache, nausea, and rash. Citizens should also use insect repellant and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants inside and outside their homes. Too, citizens should search homes for mosquito-breathing sites such as uncovered drums, pans and tires then cover them to prevent mosquito breeding.

 

This is the first dengue outbreak in Jamaica since 2019.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Alexia King-Whyte November 2, 2023 Police take several into custody following gun seizure at party   The Spanish Town police in St Catherine took several men, including a member of the entertainment fraternity, into custody in connection with the seizure of an illegal gun at a party this morning. It was reported that about 3:30 a.m., the police carried out an operation at an event called Pill Wednesdays in Spanish Town and a bag containing a Glock pistol was discovered. The men were then escorted to the Spanish Town Police Station. Acting head of the St Catherine North Police Division, Superintendent Hopton Nicholson, said the police will continue its offensive against criminal activities. "The police are taking a zero-tolerance approach to any illegal activities, and we are pleased with this morning's operation," said Nicholson.  The identities of the men are being withheld pending further investigation to ascertain the responsible party ...
Read more
Daneilla McLaughlin Novermber 7, 2023 Curfew underway in Duanvale following quadruple murder Following last month's quadruple murder in the Duanvale community, Trelawny police and soldiers imposed a 8:00 p.m. curfew in the community a week ago. Most citizens obeyed the curfew order of the police and military personnel but expressed their annoyance with it. A few citizens were unwilling to adhere to the order. Cook shops and corner shops were closed as early as 7:30 p.m. last week, and citizens rushed home in order to prevent the police from warning them. During a church service on Friday night, members of the church were cognizant of the curfew order. Church members frequently checked the time and constantly reminded the leaders that they should end service early so that the church members could reach home before the curfew. The church service ended in time and the members rushed home as the police and soldiers patrolled the community. One night bar appeared to be closed,...
Read more
Gabrielle Morrison November 9,2023  Education Ministry Mourns Victims of Senseless Violence   The Ministry of Education and Youth is reeling from the recent loss of three young lives, a parent, and a principal in multiple incidents.   In a statement released on Tuesday, the ministry said that on Friday, November 3, a Grade 1 student of the St Jude’s Primary School in St Andrew and the mother of a Grade 4 student were fatally shot in an apparent drive-by incident.   On Sunday, November 5, Christopher Sinclair, principal of Duckenfield Primary School in St Thomas, passed away after battling illness for several months.   And on Monday, November 6, two nine-year-old boys from Chetwood Primary School in St James were killed when gunmen opened fire on the taxi they were traveling in.   The education ministry said that it has dispatched teams of grief counselors to all three schools to offer support to the communities.   Minister of Ed...
Read more