More dengue cases in 2017

Statistics from the Health Ministry indicate that there were more cases of dengue in 2017 than in 2016. Maureen Wijngaarde-Van Dijk, director at the Health Ministry, pointed out that there were 47 cases in 2016 and 74 in 2017. Most of the dengue cases were reported in the districts Paramaribo and Para.

Wijngaarde explained that each year the number of dengue cases rise in the period December-January. In December 2017 there were 14 reports. There have not been any official cases of dengue reported yet in 2018. Wijngaarde pointed out that the rise in the number of dengue cases in 2017 was the result of the community’s failure to take measures against the breeding grounds of the mosquitoes.

The Public Health Bureau (BOG) reportedly launched its spray campaign in the vicinity of retirement homes and at Leonsberg. Environment inspectors also carried out inspections at Wit Santi in the Para District at the request of a doctor from the RGD. The inspectors concluded that the mosquitoes could multiply freely and at a fast pace due to the fact that garbage is not collected optimally. The environment inspectors and the local administrators have already taken action to correct the situation.

Whenever the BOG sends its spray truck to various locations many factors must be kept in mind. Food and water must be covered and all the doors and windows must be opened for the campaign to be effective. Children and senior citizens must also be protected against the smell. “All measures must be taken serious because all 4 types of dengue occur in Suriname. The more types of dengue are present, the more serious the disease can manifest itself. Infants and senior citizens are extremely vulnerable,” said Wijngaarde. There were fewer cases of Chikungunya and Zika in 2017. The BOG registered 9 cases of Chikungunya and 13 Zika cases.