No cause for alarm!

Health department pleads for calm despite two confirmed cases of dengue fever

THE ST CATHERINE Health Department says there are two confirmed cases of dengue fever in the parish and a few suspected cases that are presently being assessed by the authorities.

Delivering the health department’s monthly report at the general meeting of the St Catherine Municipal Corporation last Thursday, chief public health officer for the parish, Grayson Hutchinson, said these are isolated cases and there is no reason to fear that an outbreak is eminent at this time.

“We don’t foresee an outbreak. Recent rains have caused an increase in mosquito infestation in a number of areas in the parish, especially in Portmore and its environs,” he said.

“The vector control unit of the department is currently carrying out a massive mosquito eradication drive in these areas, targeting the breeding sites, and we are seeing encouraging signs of success,” Hutchinson told The Gleaner, adding that for the period under review, 61 communities were fogged, 35 drains inspected, with 23 found to be breeding sites.

According to Hutchinson, the major challenge facing the department presently is the malfunctioning ULV machine – the fogging machine that is mounted on the back of a pickup truck that can cover a wider expanse.

“In the meantime, we have employed a number of temporary workers to carry out fogging work in these areas and this has proven to be very effective, but there is still the need for ULV support to assist with the adulticidal work,” Hutchinson noted.

He, however, was quick to point out that there is no cause for alarm about any malaria outbreak, because the health department is being proactive in its screening efforts.