1st October, 2020

(September 30th 2020) The Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment has recorded two laboratory cases of Dengue this week. These results were from samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) last week.

The public is reminded that Dengue is a viral disease spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Symptoms of Dengue include fever, headache, rash, vomiting which could lead to dehydration, muscle pain, dark coloured stool and bleeding from the nose and mouth. Parents are reminded to pay keen attention to babies who may become dehydrated and cry without tears and use fewer diapers.

Any person who believes he or she may be infected with Dengue should NOT use Aspirin, Ibuprofen or Advil and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, but instead use other fever-reducing agents such as Paracetamol, Panadol and Cetamol.

Please note that controlling the number of Dengue cases requires reducing the mosquito population and their breeding sites. As such, the Vector Control Unit at the Central Board of Health continues its mosquito reduction activities through increased inspections to identify and destroy mosquito breeding sites and increased fogging operations that kill the adult mosquito. Other dengue prevention and control measures include avoiding mosquito bites by using insect repellents, installing screens on windows and doors, using mosquito nets and remaining indoors as much a possible at dusk and dawn.

The Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment is seeking the public’s assistance in controlling the mosquito population by reducing breeding sites in and around the home. This will allow us to reduce the number of cases of Dengue in Antigua and Barbuda.