Health officials with the eastern Caribbean island of Barbados are reporting a big increase in dengue fever cases during the first seven months of the year, according to published data from the Barbados Government Information Services.
Through July 23, there have been 1276 confirmed and suspected dengue fever cases. This compares to the same period in 2015 when 255 confirmed and suspected cases were reported.
One dengue-related fatality has been reported this year to date.
Chief Environmental Health Officer, Desmond King has advised the public to take actions to control the Aedes aegypti mosquito population to include identifying and removing possible mosquito breeding sites such as collections of stagnant water from around homes and workplaces.
In addition, householders and property owners are advised to securely cover domestic water storage containers such as buckets and drums; properly discard old tires; and ensure that underground tanks and soak-aways are well sealed.
King also recommends taking measures to prevent mosquito bites such as wearing clothing with long sleeves and long legs, especially in the morning and late afternoon; using mosquito repellents with 30 per cent DEET concentration; and sleeping under an insecticide-treated bed net, especially during the day.
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