NewsDesk @bactiman63

In a follow-up on the dengue outbreak in Jamaica, Director of Health Services Planning and Integration, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Nadine Williams announced today that all Type Three to Five health centres islandwide would extend their hours to 8 pm starting Monday, October 2.

Image/CDC

A dengue outbreak was declared in Jamaica on September 23. As of Friday, September 22, Jamaica had recorded 565 suspected, presumed and confirmed cases of dengue.

The dominant strain affecting the island is Dengue Type 2, which last predominated in 2010.

As part of heightened measures to minimize the outbreak, Dr. Williams informed that the National Health Fund (NHF) will provide resources to undertake dengue mitigation strategies, such as the removal of bulky waste and drain-cleaning across the country.

Dr Williams  advises the public that the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the vector that transmits dengue, breeds in any containerized environment.

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Some of the common breeding sites are drums, tires, buckets, and animal feeding containers in which water can accumulate.

“Persons are encouraged to play their part in ensuring that the cases are minimized by monitoring water storage containers for mosquito breeding, keeping surroundings free of debris, destroying or treating potential mosquito breeding sites, wearing protective clothing, using DEET-containing repellant and, as much as possible, staying indoors at dusk with windows and doors closed,” Dr. Williams emphasized.

Jamaican Food