After speaking with the Dr. Jerry Lanza, Medical Director of the Dr. Otto Rodriguez Poly Clinic II in San Pedro last week, Ambergris Today was able to confirm that there has been a small outbreak of dengue on the island. This week, the Ministry of Health sent out a press release stating that they are doing more and as part of its ongoing countrywide Dengue Prevention Campaign, the Ministry is introducing an operation in San Pedro Town.
The campaign includes ultra-low volume (ULV) spraying, thermal spraying of houses, premises inspections, spraying of drains and issuing of bed nets to homes in high-risk areas for dengue. A team of personnel from the Vector Control Unit was dispatched to San Pedro Town on Tuesday, August 20, to investigate and assess suspected cases of dengue that were reported in areas such as DFC, Boca del Rio and San Pablo.
The issuance of chemically-treated bed nets has proven to be the most effective form of personal protection to reduce dengue transmission. This initiative is free of cost to the residents and is being carried out in close collaboration with the San Pedro Town Council. The public is encouraged to take every precaution necessary to combat the breeding sites for the Aedes mosquitoes.
Eliminate the places where the mosquito lays her eggs, such as containers that hold water in and around the home. In addition, clean water containers at least week, such as animal feeding bowls and flower pots, and cover water storage barrels.
For personal protection use repellent and when possible, wear long sleeves and long pants. Residents are also advised to keep house windows open whenever the Ministry of Health is conducting spraying activities in order for the insecticide to reach mosquitoes inside the home. Interventions will be employed on the island from August 26th-30th. The Ministry continues to take an integrated approach on the prevalence of dengue in order to control and reduce further cases.
