Jamaica News: Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is calling for increased vigilance in combatting the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits dengue.
He was addressing a town hall at the Zorn Moravian Church in Christiana, Manchester, on Monday (December 9), which focused on the management of dengue.
The meeting was held against the background of a Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) report, which indicated a spike in dengue cases in communities such as Dobson, Christiana, Silent Hill as well as parts of Northern Clarendon and South Trelawny.
Dr. Tufton said that the best defence against dengue is for citizens to eliminate mosquito breeding sites in the home, workplace, school and community.
“Reducing the risk is simple because mosquitoes breed in relatively clean water stored around the house,” he noted.
Dr. Tufton also advised residents to get rid of solid waste in and around their homes. “If you have old refrigerators, tyres etc… we have an arrangement with the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) where we can come and pick it up. These are sources for the breeding of mosquitoes,” he pointed out.
“Persons who are a nuisance to their neighbours can be prosecuted for not keeping their surroundings clean by properly disposing of solid waste,” he said.
Dr. Tufton said that at the first sign of dengue, persons should go to the doctor. He cautioned that only paracetamol, cetamol and panadol should be taken to alleviate symptoms such as fever and headache.
Meanwhile, he informed that the parish will be getting three more vehicles to assist with fogging.
In addition to fogging done by the Ministry, he advised that householders can spray the inside of their homes with a domestic insecticide to get rid of the pest. Persons should leave the space for at least 20 minutes after spraying or take other precautions as necessary.
Dr. Tufton said that those with respiratory problems or who are at risk for respiratory illnesses such as asthma should not participate in this exercise.
Also present at the town hall were Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries and Member of Parliament for North East Manchester, Hon. Audley Shaw; and Ministry of Health personnel; public health inspectors; and healthcare professionals.
Source: JIS News
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