Paula Lind
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said the current dengue outbreak would not be declared a public health emergency because it did not meet international criteria.
He made the remarks at a press conference on July 19th.
CMO Dr Roshan Parasuram said the four criteria were: “Is the public health impact of this event significant? Is the event unusual or unexpected? Is there a significant risk of international spread? Is there a significant risk of international travel or trade restrictions?”
He said the increase in dengue cases was not unexpected as it occurs every five to seven years and tends to spike at the beginning of the rainy season. He said there was no risk of the disease spreading internationally as it is endemic in more than 100 countries.
He said that at present, the health system is not overwhelmed because 15 to 19 percent of patients visiting San Fernando General Hospital, Point Fortin Fortified Facility and surrounding medical centers have viral illnesses, while the remaining 81 to 85 percent have chronic conditions.
For this reason, he said, dengue does not meet any of the conditions to be declared a public health emergency.
Deyalsingh said there had been 392 lab-confirmed cases and three deaths as of July 19. The hardest hit counties were Victoria, St. Patrick and Caroni counties.
He said the Ministry of Health, County Medical Officers of Health (CMOH) and Insect and Vector Control Department (IVCD) have concentrated resources in the area and are making every effort to curb the spread of the infection.
IVCD Medical Officer of Health, Dr Osafo Fraser, said a meeting had been convened on July 19 with the regional corporation, CMOH and IVCD to continue coordinating the response to the outbreak.
Deyalsingh said spraying was being carried out in targeted areas based on the mosquito infestation. He urged the public to avoid creating breeding sites for plants, especially containers and flower pots, including bromeliads, on their premises.
Minister of Municipality Faris Al Rawi said local authorities and ministries are doing their best to control the mosquito population, including by mowing grass and cleaning drains. However, he said, while authorities are mowing as much as they can, they are unable to keep up everywhere due to rapid growth during the rainy season. He called on communities to help each other where they can.
Al Rawi added that people continue to litter, which is also contributing to the spread of the infection.
Deyalsingh said 71 notices have been issued to people whose properties are believed to be breeding sites. The homes are then inspected to see if they have been eradicated, and people face fines if they haven’t – the fines were recently increased to $3,500.
