As a Caribbean outbreak persists, public health officials in the Cayman Islands confirmed the first local case of imported dengue fever by a returning resident.
There have been no locally transmitted dengue cases reported in the Cayman Islands so far for this year. Last year saw a total of two confirmed cases, one imported and one with no travel history.
So far in 2012, 17 of 23 Caribbean countries have reported more than 1,500 confirmed dengue fever cases. According to the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre Surveillance Report, as of August 2012 Belize, Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica and Curacao account for approximately 87% of the cases reported in the region.
“While dengue fever is not endemic to the Cayman Islands, as there is no sustained transmission of the disease, it is always wise to avoid mosquito bites by covering up during the late afternoon when the dengue carrier, the Aedes aegyptii mosquito, is at its peak,” said Dr. Kiran Kumar, medical officer of health.
“While we need to be alert, and take preventative measures, we need not be alarmed of one case. For Aedes mosquitoes to transmit dengue they must bite infected persons, otherwise they can’t become infectious and transmit the disease.”
Dr. Kumar reminded residents that they can help reduce the Aedes aegyptii population locally, by clearing yards of containers that can hold water, as these are favourite breeding sites.
For more advice on mosquito control, contact MRCU on 949-2557 in Grand Cayman, or 948-2223 on Cayman Brac; and DEH on 949-6696 in Grand Cayman, or 948-2321 in Cayman Brac.
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