The Ministry of Health said, on Monday, that it is investigating four deaths over the last three weeks in persons with who presented with symptoms suggestive of dengue fever.
The ministry said in a press release that the persons four person “quickly deteriorated, some with features of acute kidney failure.
“One elderly female was confirmed on laboratory diagnosis to have had dengue fever. One young male was negative for dengue fever, Zika and COVID-19. Another young male died before the dengue test could be completed. The fourth person was negative for COVID-19, but some of their other results including dengue, are still outstanding,” the ministry said in a press release.
The health ministry also advised that the dengue fever outbreak first noted in July 2020 continues with a total of 306 laboratory confirmed cases of dengue fever from Jan. 1 to Sept. 11.
“The mosquito borne disease, while affecting all health districts, is affecting the Kingstown, Georgetown and Pembroke Health Districts most, with 65.9% of cases coming from these areas.
“Especially worrying is that 51.3% of the persons affected are in the age group 0-15 years,” the ministry said, adding that current strain of dengue virus circulating is the Dengue type 3.
Dengue fever is mostly a mild febrile illness lasting five to seven days, requiring only regular doses of acetaminophen (paracetamol) and oral fluids as treatment.
“However dengue fever can sometimes result in serious illness with pain behind the eyes, severe vomiting, abnormal bleeding and dizziness. Dengue hemorrhagic fever and acute renal failure are complications of dengue fever and can lead to death.
The press release said that the Hospital Services Programme of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, in response to the increased need to admit persons with moderate dengue fever, will use all available beds in the public system including some of those at the Argyle Isolation Facility.
“One section of this facility, which is designed for the management of persons with infectious diseases, will be used for patients with suspected dengue fever who require rehydration and observation. Another section will be reserved to accommodate any COVID-19 patients who may present in the future,” the ministry said.
The ministry reminded the public of the importance of reducing their exposure to the mosquito that causes dengue by:
1. Reducing the breeding of the mosquito by discarding or covering properly collected water
2. Reducing rubbish and over grown bush
3. Wearing light colored clothes with long pants and shelves
4. Using insect repellent
5. Opening homes to allow increased effectiveness of fogging by the Vector control unit.
The ministry is asking persons with symptoms of dengue fever to seek medical care early on in the course of their illness as rapid worsening can occur.
“Increased fogging by the Vector Control Unit continues with a focus on schools and health facilities. De-bushing around schools started before the beginning of the new school term and will continue,” the ministry said.
We have dengue issues in this country because of the government failure to fulfill its public duties to the country. Gone are the days when you have sanitary inspectors carrying out their duties by impressing upon the public to keep their surroundings clean, to avoid the spread of dengue and other diseases.
Because of the government lack of interest in public health dengue is killing people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Shame on ULP who has promised to deliver to us better than NDP but has delivered worst. The only time I see the foggers in my area is since this dengue problem. About two years ago, I went to public health to report my neighbor, who is working at public health, collecting of standing water and causing the breathing of mosquitoes. They refused to do nothing. I asked them about mosquito spraying they said, “the mosquito index has to increase before they spray.” Surely, it has increased now because dengue is rampant in St Vincent and Grenadines and it is killing people.
Now, this is more cause to give ULP, Ralph Gonsalves, Camilo, his son, and their supporters five in a row to kill us off. That’s not to say I trust NDP but I have to vote them to stop ULP destructive practices.