Guyana has seen a substantial reduction in the number of active dengue fever cases over the past week.
In an interview with this newspaper yesterday, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony noted that 186 persons have been tested positive over the past week, with 101 persons having a past infection and 85 persons contracting the virus for the first time.
Dengue fever, transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, has been a long-standing concern in Guyana. It is mostly found in tropical regions of the world and is a key public health concern. For this year, a recorded total of 2,196 cases have been confirmed, with 239 persons hospitalized and 11 dengue related deaths.
The virus’s prevalence has since led to increased efforts to raise awareness about prevention methods, eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and enhanced healthcare services to manage cases effectively.
Additionally, the entomological team from the Ministry of Health has also recorded a marked drop in the mosquito population. The decline in cases were attributed to a multifaceted approach that encompasses public education, community involvement, and vector control measures.
Efforts to combat dengue have also included intensified mosquito control campaigns, distributing ‘abate’, a larvicide used to eliminate mosquitoes, and implementing systematic surveillance to monitor and respond promptly to outbreaks. These measures have not only reduced the number of dengue cases but also contributed to an overall improvement in public health and well-being.
