The Inter-Regional Epidemiology (WAX) Antilles Guyana met with the Committee of Experts on infectious diseases within the Northern Islands, to a meeting, on October 1st, 2008, to assess the epidemiological situation of dengue.
The latest data from the sentinel local network of Health confirmed the start of a phase of resurgence of dengue, began ten days ago.
Given the climatic conditions which is in favor of the breeding of mosquito preventive measures widely known by the population should be implemented without delay, and rigorously.
In addition to these measures of prevention, insecticide spraying campaign will run throughout the island of Saint Martin as of today October 3rd.
Even though the figures of confirmed cases have not been released they said that the population needs to apply the preventative measures rigoursly. The dengue epidemic is its early stage said the release.
The committee plans to meet again on October 16 to the re-access the local situation.
Some of the action that has to be taken to eradicate the mosquitoes (aedes aegypti) which is known for the transmission of dengue is as follows:
The prefecture of Saint-Barthelemy and St. Martin reminds that the most effective fight against the proliferation of single mosquito vector for dengue, “Aedes aepypti”, measures must be taken to guard you and your family to and around your home:
- Avoid mosquito bites in the morning and evening, using sprays or creams repellents, to fight the mosquitoes. Residents are asked to wear long sleeved clothing in the evenings, they should install screens on doors and windows in your home, sleep under mosquito nets to avoid bites in the morning, especially young children and the elderly.
Be sure to remove stagnating water in your homes and around your houses because stagnation of clear water is the breeding places of mosquitoes: also monitor your pots.
Protect the tanks and cisterns of your home from the proliferation of mosquitoes with a canvas net
If your tanks or cisterns are not treated, you can develop a “golomines” fish that eat larvae of mosquitoes “Aedes aegypti” and therefore reduces the proliferation
Periodically clean your gutters make sure their discharge in case of stagnant water after rain episodes
Check the health of your septic tank and when moving equipment spraying insecticides, widely open your doors and windows.
