Dengue fever grips Saint Lucia amid COVID-19 pandemic

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.loopslu.com/content/dengue-fever-grips-saint-lucia-amid-covid-19-pandemic

Dengue fever grips Saint Lucia amid COVID-19 pandemic
Sharefil Gaillard Created : 6 August 2020

Saint Lucia has recorded increased cases of dengue fever for 2020 when compared to the previous year 2019.

To date, over 40 cases of the virus has been recorded, leaving local health officials concerned.

“We’ve noted to date that the age group most affected would be 5-9, so our kids are being affected followed by the age group 10-14 years,” National Epidemiologist, Dr Michelle Francois disclosed...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.loopslu.com/content/dengue-st-lucia-update-significant-increase-cases

Dengue in St Lucia update: Significant increase in cases
Jonathan Stuart Created : 10 August 2020
St. Lucia News

St Lucia's Ministry of Health says that a significant increase in dengue cases has been recorded on island.

The Ministry is calling for persons to conduct preventative measures by eliminating breeding sites around their homes.

"The Ministry of Health and Wellness continues to note significant increases in the reported cases of dengue in Saint Lucia. This is particularly concerning as both serotypes 2 and 3 have been recorded to date and we have noted quite a few infections in children."

The ministry has pinpointed hotspots of the virus: "Most of the reported cases are concentrated in the northern, central and eastern parts of the island. Cases are reported in areas such as Reduit, Morne Road, Castries City, Milliet and Richfond. Cases have also been reported in the south and west of the island but to a much lesser extent."

The release continues: "Dengue is a viral illness spread by the bite of the species Aedes aegypti mosquito and, to a lesser extent, Aedes Albopictus. The mosquito lives in urban habitats and breeds mostly in man-made containers.

Dengue is endemic to Saint Lucia, meaning that there is continued local transmission which often peaks during and after rainy seasons...