Barbados Dengue Fever Outbreak Confirmed Over
The Barbados dengue fever outbreak, which started in October 2023 and continued into this year, is officially over.
According to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the outbreak resulted in four recorded deaths and came to an end in May with no known active cases.
Health authorities are advising the public to remain vigilant due to the ongoing rainy season, where sporadic cases of dengue fever may still occur.
The outbreak initially started with 101 confirmed cases in October 2023. Although cases returned to pre-alert levels in May, there were a total of 1,133 confirmed dengue cases reported as of June 30, 2024. Of these, 1,126 occurred during the outbreak months of January to April 2024.
Suspected cases totaled 3,303 as of June 30, 2024. Dengue virus Type 2 was the predominant serotype identified during the outbreak, followed by serotype 3.
There were eight confirmed cases of Chikungunya this year, while no confirmed Zika virus cases were reported.
Doctors and clinical personnel are urged to recognize the signs and symptoms of dengue fever and review patients for warning signs of severe disease. Suspected dengue diagnoses should be reported to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and patients and families should protect themselves from further mosquito bites by using appropriate skin coverings, nets, or chemical repellents.
Householders and businesses should weekly inspect their environs for mosquito breeding and larvae destruction. Property owners should not harbor mosquito larvae on their properties. Additionally, the general public should report any adult mosquito presence to the Environmental Health Department at a nearby polyclinic.
While instructions provided are specific to Barbados, residents in all Caribbean islands are advised to follow these guidelines to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses and ensure no standing water is present around the home.
The Ministry will continue to conduct regular fogging exercises in Barbados, and other mosquito control measures, to mitigate the adult mosquito population.
melissa.rollock@barbados.gov.bb
Conclusion:
The confirmation of the Barbados dengue fever outbreak coming to an end is a welcome development. However, it’s essential to remain vigilant and take measures to prevent further mosquito-borne illness.
Frequently Asked Questions
I hope this meets your requirements. Let me know if you need any further assistance!