Health Minister Warns Of Increased Dengue Cases Due To Rains

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica health authorities Friday warned nationals to be wary of an increase in cases of dengue fever and chikungunya, as the island deals with an increase in the mosquito population due to recent rains.

“Dengue fever and chikungunya are transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito which primarily breeds in clean water, which settles in containers around places inhabited by humans. The best way to effectively reduce the spread of these diseases, is to prevent the breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito which spreads the viruses,” said Health Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson.

The Ministry of Health issued a statement appealing to residents, to search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites around the home, school, church and place of business.

Dr. Ferguson also said that drums that are used to store water have been found to be the main breeding sites for mosquitoes, and so individuals need to pay special attention to these containers.

He said that the Ministry of Health recently distributed specially designed drum covers to the Parish Councils for use in communities, as part of its Integrated Vector Management Strategy.

The dengue and chikungunya viruses can only be spread by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Jamaica has been experiencing a severe drought and in recent days has welcomed the rains