9 M DENGUE CASES IN THE AMERICAS

MORE than nine million cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever have been reported over the past six months in this part of the world, including Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) revealed that those nine million deaths are out of a total of 10 million worldwide over the period.

There have been more than 5,000 dengue-related deaths in 80 countries.

The deaths in this area of the world are double that of the previous corresponding period.

More than eight million cases were reported in Brazil.

Argentina, Paraguay, Peru and Colombia had the next largest number of dengue infections.

Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has also reported a spike in infections in the Americas.

In Guyana, there have been four dengue-related deaths and at least 400 hospitalisations, according to Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh has confirmed 228-laboratory confirmed cases and two deaths.

Anthony said there increased spraying of insecticide and has urged the national community to keep surroundings clean to avoid the breeding of mosquitoes.

Deyalsingh said his ministry will impose a fine of $3,500 on people whose premises could become mosquito breeding grounds.

WHO-PAHO said Martinique and Guadeloupe are facing a dengue epidemic.

Cases are decreasing in French Guyana and Saint Martin, according to the health experts.

Dengue cases are also reported in other parts of the world, but not with the infection rate of the Caribbean and Latin America.

The Americas region is facing “its largest outbreak of dengue ever,” the organisations said.

The most affected European countries are Germany, Italy and France.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease widely spread in tropical and sub-tropical regions.

Local transmission can take place if the virus is introduced by an infected traveller, it was explained.