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Increase in dengue & severe hospitalisation cause concern in VI

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes Egpyti and Albopictus mosquitoes, both of which are endemic to the Virgin Islands. Photo: VIC/File
National Epidemiologist Ms Harmonie Brewley-Massiah said while the current number of dengue fever cases remains below the epidemic threshold, public health officials are closely monitoring the situation. Photo: Facebook/File
National Epidemiologist Ms Harmonie Brewley-Massiah said while the current number of dengue fever cases remains below the epidemic threshold, public health officials are closely monitoring the situation. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Ministry of Health and Social Development in the Virgin Islands (VI) is reporting an increase in the number of dengue fever (DF) cases, including severe dengue requiring hospitalisation.

National Epidemiologist, Ms Harmonie Brewley-Massiah said that while the current number of cases remains below the epidemic threshold, public health officials are closely monitoring the situation.

 “The Surveillance and Vector Unit has been keenly monitoring the local situation given the on-going outbreaks in other Caribbean countries,” Ms Brewley Massiah said in a Government Information Service (GIS) press release on August 21, 2024.

Multiple breeding sites identified

Entomologist, Ms Camille White, is also concerned. She said, “Each residential assessment of locally affected persons has identified multiple breeding sites positive for the larvae or pupae of Aedes mosquitoes. Breeding sites were mainly in containers like barrels, buckets, tyres, plant pots and gallon bottles.”

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes Egpyti and Albopictus mosquitoes, both of which are endemic to the Virgin Islands.

Symptoms

Symptoms include fever, severe headache, eye-pain, nausea, vomiting, rash, joint and body aches, and, in severe cases, bleeding. Symptoms typically last two to seven days, and although severe and life-threatening illness can occur, most people recover within one-two weeks.

Children, the elderly and persons with a prior infection and/or pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and heart disease are particularly at risk for severe dengue- which may require hospitalisation and intensive medical care.

Health authorities are urging the public to be vigilant and proactive by implementing personal protective measures and strict environmental hygiene (cleanliness and sanitation in their surroundings), especially after heavy rainfall.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development also said it is working diligently to control the spread of dengue fever.

16 Responses to “Increase in dengue & severe hospitalisation cause concern in VI”

  • Back to our roots (22/08/2024, 08:26) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    My people we give up on the most high what u think will happen to us what happen to natural herbs our grandparents use bitters herbs neem,popaya leaf,maiden apple,aloe come on people doct dont cure herbs is for the healing of the nation get back to herbs
    • TruDat! (22/08/2024, 10:35) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      Medical school - day one - repeat after me "A patient cured is a customer lost"
      • Hmm@trudat (22/08/2024, 16:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Google says there is no cure for dengue. My only question why are they not working on one?
  • ccc (22/08/2024, 08:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    wow not a good look
  • Shameful (22/08/2024, 08:48) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply

    Sounding the alarm and there is no fogging ongoing? Typical &^*%$$% nonsense from this inept govt!!!!

  • WITH ALL THE LEAKING PIPES (22/08/2024, 08:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    AND UNCLEANED GHUTS , WHAT DO EXPECT ❓️???? HEREIS A COUPLE EXAMPLES - NEXT YHE ONCE CULTURAL CENTER HAS A GHUT AND THE OLD DIRTY BUILDINGS NEXT TO IT ,
    CHECK OUT THAT AREA AND LOOK HOW GREEN THE TREES AND BUSH IS . IT HAS BEE LEAKING FOR YEARS , THEN GO UP BY PATSY LAKE'S RED & WHITE BUILDING A9LND TAKE A WALK UP TO THE STOP LIGHT , AND GO UP TO CARIB SUPPLY AND WALK UP TO WONE MARK AND SEE FOR YOURSELF
  • Roaringmad (22/08/2024, 09:16) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    Let me hear from Vincent,this is nothing new .He is more into what concern others than his own duties
    • HMMM (22/08/2024, 11:24) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @roaringmad. It’s he and the government who allow the elites to breed mosquitoes in Virgin Gorda. What you expect?

      All of a sudden the whole Caribbean, Guyana, Jamaica complaining about these mosquitoes. Hmm!
  • Advice (22/08/2024, 09:46) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where’s the directive for home and business owners to inspect their properties for places where water can pond? if we want to minimize the risk, we all have to work together to minimize breeding places.
    • LOL (22/08/2024, 13:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      you too bright. All these decades and somebody have to tell you to clean up your yard. When the Environmental staff come and tell you to clean up and prevent breeding you prefer to leave your place nasty and complain about fogging. Some people just too bright
  • VG (22/08/2024, 12:41) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Plesae Vincent ,please stop realising the metalic man made beasts I too roaring mad it's my intention to stop that van in my area.Stop vincent please stop
  • HMMM (22/08/2024, 16:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dengue is deadly please fog out the place and send a team around and make sure people's or government properties don't have stagnant water. I don't know if mosquitoes lay eggs in hot sunny water because there is a lot of roofs with stagnant water.
  • Fogger (22/08/2024, 16:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fog the areas with a non toxic spray during the slow periods. Alert the public ahead of time so those with allergies can wear masks and protect themselves. Like they do in states like Florida. And...everyone follow protocol with making sure properties are rid of standing water. But then again...we all have cisterns where mosquitos breed. So fog!
  • It's sad (22/08/2024, 18:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Many are dead in T&T from this virus
  • Fed Up (22/08/2024, 18:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We couldn't enjoy outdoors due to COVID and the fear they put on us
    Many died alone
    They taught us to stay far from human contacts

    Now they gone do same with this we would have to stay indoors shut tight

    Ive seen what these modified mosquito did some ppl skin
    And I find they should sue these ppl who brought them
    In
    These modified mosquitos does literally chase ppl and animals they are abnormally big and black and u can't chase them away they running u down

    Agenda 21
    U will own nothing and be happy 2030
  • Just saying (22/08/2024, 18:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    To much water around the houses


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