The medical director, Jacquiline Bisasor-Mckenzie, pointed out that this is the largest number of patients compared to outbreaks occurred in 2019, when 179 were recorded, and 2016, with 190. However, she called on the island’s inhabitants not to panic.

According to her, the high figure is due to the institution’s greater capacity to perform tests at the National Public Health Laboratory.

“In 2019 we had to depend quite a bit on the results that came from the Caribbean Public Health Agency in Trinidad, and there was a great delay” in obtaining them, explained the specialist, who added that now they constitute a greater quantity and are received in 48 hours.

Bisasor-Mckenzie specified that in recent weeks there have been no deaths due to dengue, hence the total remains at nine.

All parishes continue to observe an increase in inhabitants with the condition in relation to 2022, although in terms of rate per 100 thousand inhabitants, St Thomas, followed by Portland, lead the figures, said the expert.

The Ministry has urged citizens to play their role in minimizing the incidence of the disease through actions such as monitoring water storage containers to detect the reproduction of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the virus.

He also advised keeping the surroundings free of debris, destroying or treating possible breeding grounds for these insects, and protecting against bites, while asking those who experience fever, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, skin rash, feeling of weakness, or confusion to seek immediate medical attention. .

In September, health authorities declared the existence of a dengue outbreak due to the growth in diagnosed cases.

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