Dengue alert for Dominica!

Dengue is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito

Dominica is on the alert for an outbreak of dengue fever.

According to the Ministry of Health, dengue fever is the most significant vector borne disease affecting the Caribbean region, and  advises of an increased public health threat to Dominica “especially now that the French Territories of Martinique and Guadeloupe are faced with an increase in the incidence of Dengue Fever.”

“Dominica is presently experiencing increased rainfall at this time. Unfortunately, Aedes Aegypti Mosquito population on the island is increasing to a level that elevates the risk of vector borne diseases. It is against this background that the Ministry wishes to alert the entire population of the nature and scope of the threat.” states a release from the ministry of health.

According to the release, issued jointly by the Chief Medical officer and Chief Environmental Health Officer, the most recent data show that Castle Bruce, La Plaine, Roseau South, Portsmouth and Roseau North District contained indices which are above the recommended World Health Organization (WHO )standard for the prevention of dengue transmission.

The Environmental Health Department is reminding the public of certain environmental and sanitary conditions which create excellent breeding sites for mosquitoes, including poor water storage at homes and public places, improper disposal of used tires and improper use of water in domestic flower pots.

The presence of garbage containers collecting water in private and public places, crisis collection of solid waste in many communities
and overgrown vegetation on vacant lots, are also named as factors which contribute to mosquito breeding.

The Ministry of Health says it is taking action to control mosquito breeding. “The Ministry of Health has developed an Integrated Management Strategy and Action Plan and is launching a public campaign to prevent and control problems related to mosquitoes. In addition to increasing the number of inspection activities, a series of health education activities are organized to encourage and promote community participation in mosquito prevention and control work.”, the release states.

Communities around Dominica are being asked to play their part in controlling the spread of the mosquito population and preventing an outbreak of dengue fever by practicing safe storage of rain water in containers that are fully covered, advocating for the proper disposal of old and used containers in designated areas and campaigning for appropriate disposal of used tires in designated areas.

The public is also being asked to monitor the water quality in domestic flower pots, collaborate with Environmental Health Department, National Pest and Termite Control and Village Councils, for the removal of derelict vehicles to the Sanitary Landfill.

Dominica News Online (DNO), reported on an outbreak of the disease in Dominica in 2011 in which there were at least 15 confirmed cases. The majority of cases were within the Roseau Health District which includes the Roseau South, Roseau Valley, Roseau North, and Roseau Central up to the Mahaut area.

However, the ministry of health is reassuring Dominicans that there is no outbreak of Dengue Fever in Dominica at this time. “The spread of Dengue Fever in Dominica is a real possibility. However, we are pleased to inform that there is no outbreak of Dengue Fever at this time. Therefore, to prevent an outbreak, it is critical that we work with all the stakeholders such as The National Public Health Surveillance and Response Team of the Ministry of Health, Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation, Local Government, National Pest and Termite Control and the General Public.”

 

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13 Comments

  1. Nudibranch
    November 20, 2012

    just recovering thanks.

  2. Muslim_Always
    November 19, 2012

    Buy the incense from the Muslims to drive away the mosquito, prevent from dengue fever! :lol:

  3. nameless
    November 19, 2012

    boyyyyyyy let me go and buy my coil and a net a comforter because i weell fraid me and dengue not at all never

  4. yardie
    November 19, 2012

    the problem is the company government hire to treat the affected areas just not doing an effected job these national pest & termite control people only concentrate around roseau and areas and where there friends are living to treat and forget about the rest of the country

    • nameless
      November 19, 2012

      Dominicans allu know when the rubish passing we dose put some nasty things there. Things like diaper some people if they do not have toilet they will popo in the plastic but though establish it in the road allu encouraging those rat to come you know if dengue there lepto loking for you to so use your common sence

  5. may
    November 19, 2012

    There are too many derelict vehicles in and around Roseau and the owners are doing nothing about them. I think the Environmental Health and City Council should collaborate to have these vehicles dumped.

  6. Anonymous
    November 19, 2012

    hope all comply, while the health department spray the affective areas to help eliminate the problem I had denga fever and it”s no joke, body ache, fever spitting blood feel like you die and went to hell.

  7. blunt
    November 18, 2012

    Alas Father watch my family wi

  8. Anonymous
    November 18, 2012

    How about fillingbthe Damon potholes?

  9. rescue 911
    November 18, 2012

    i remember wen we use to burn our rubbish and they say we use to pullute the ozone.but i think the smoke use to drive them away.

  10. roger
    November 18, 2012

    this is very serious,but may i say that some of us Dominicans are “TO NASTY” the reason i say that is because i may clean my house and surroundings regularly,and my neighbor refuses to to the same,i will be having a problem which i don’t have to be dealing with all because of my neighbors lackadaisical attitude.So i am sorry for the folks of the ministry of health and pest control,we will just be working in circles.

  11. jax.
    November 18, 2012

    fully agree. it’s not a joke. it’s awful. having suffered from dengue myself.

  12. Teacher
    November 18, 2012

    people need to pay attention to the items that collect water in their yards and surroundings. Dengue is no joke!

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