Six suspected dengue cases in Portland

Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer

THE MINISTRY of Health is reporting six suspected cases of dengue in the parish.

Chief public health inspector for the parish, Caram Ramtulla, said the cases had not been confirmed as the mosquito-borne disease because laboratory tests had not yet been completed.

Ramtulla said more time was needed for the medical laboratory to accurately diagnose the six cases.

"Until lab testings are concluded and a confirmation is made, all six cases are being treated as suspicious," he said.

"We at the Ministry of Health have intensified our programmes to deal with the dengue virus and all areas where the suspected cases have derived from will be treated."

Ramtulla said the six suspected cases were scattered through communities across the parish including Drapers, San San and Port Antonio.

Still focused on malaria

But while a dengue alert has been issued islandwide, Ramtulla also pointed out that the health ministry has not lost focus on the treatment of malaria, which is also a mosquito-borne disease and still poses a threat to locals.

"While cases of dengue appear to be on the rise nationally, we at the Ministry of Health have not retired our efforts as it relates to malaria. The commonly known method of defogging is still being carried out in mosquito-breeding sites as we seek to minimise any such threat," he said.

Ramtulla noted that considera-tion has to be given to the areas which may have been visited by persons suspected of carrying the dengue virus.

He said persons could have been bitten by mosquitoes in other parishes, while they were visiting and that it was important that an accurate analysis be done.

"In my estimation, there is no need for panic in Portland. Strategic plans are in place to combat any such developments, and we are confident that if the tests are conclusive, we are prepared to deal with any eventuality," he said.