By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) islands report they are currently experiencing the most severe dengue fever outbreak in its recent history.

Image/CDC

In its latest official bulletin dated 20 October 2020, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment has confirmed an increase in reported cases of dengue infection in the country with 1,155 laboratory confirmed cases of dengue fever recorded and six fatalities.

The last outbreak in the SVG islands was in 2012 when 200 cases were reported.

The mosquito borne disease continues to affect all health districts, but most reported cases have been reported in the Pembroke, Kingstown, Calliaqua and Georgetown Health Districts.

Since the 2012 outbreak, the government has upgraded its surveillance and control system although it is understood that activities to control dengue both locally and regionally have been only moderately effective as vector control programs are costly and difficult to sustain. Additionally, given the COVID-19 context in country, it is feared that this dengue outbreak could expand considerably without appropriate and timely intervention.