Categories: Local

Dengue and Schools

St Lucia recorded a marked increase in the number of confirmed cases of dengue fever following Hurricane Tomas and during 2011 recorded outbreak levels of the disease.  Dengue fever is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. This is mainly a day biting mosquito which prefers breeding in and around dwelling places.

Recognizing the potential risks of infection, the Ministry of Health has partnered with the Ministry of Education in increasing the awareness of school staff and students along with parents and guardians in an effort to eliminate the potential breeding sites for mosquitoes within the school compound. This is based on a comprehensive approach which entails ensuring that school compounds are free of refuse and breeding sites, as well as securely sealing water tanks to prevent mosquitoes from accessing and breeding in water stored on the school compound. In some cases, remedial works may be needed on the school’s physical infrastructure, as would obtain where faulty guttering is present, as this may be a breeding site for the Aedes aeqypti mosquito. Schools with have ponds are encouraged to ensure that those ponds are stocked with fish (e.g. guppies, Atkinson/ tilapia) which would feed on any mosquito larvae which may be present the pond water, thereby preventing the breeding of mosquito populations.

Prior to the re-opening of school, the MOH through the Environmental Health department commenced vector assessments of school compounds.  As a result, fogging operations have been done at a number of schools nationally. This activity will continue after school hours, where warranted. Additionally, the Ministry of Health will continue its partnering with the Ministry of Education through the implementation of a dengue sensitization programme targeted at students and staff. This forms part of the prevention strategy to eliminate the opportunity of breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes through the encouraging of positive behaviours.

Related Post

The MOH thanks the general public for its continued support and reminds all that together, we can bring a halt o this current dengue fever epidemic.

 

STAR Reporter

Recent Posts

Would Be Robber Shot Dead in Corinth

The male was later identified as thirty -three (33) year old Ted Smith of Mon Repos, Micoud was transported to… Read More

2 days ago

Machine Guns No Match For A Match!

In recent dispatch to a writer friend from our days of California dreaming (several years ago he too had… Read More

3 days ago

Vincent Edmunds St. Omer Obituary

Dr. Vincent Victor Edmonds St. Omer, 89, of Columbia, passed away on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. He was born on… Read More

1 week ago

At long last, shepherd not afraid to take risks in the interest of his flock!

The in-depth comment coming from Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire is most commendable.  It's good to have in the seat of local religious… Read More

1 week ago

Wall of China Can’t Touch Helen’s Bam-Bam” Wall!

"The Bum Bum Wall is disgrace and these women should be ashamed of themselves, no pride, no respect for… Read More

2 weeks ago

18 Year Old Arrested for Murder

The male was later identified as Scott Chester Louison twenty (20) years old of Morne Du Don, Castries Read More

2 weeks ago

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. No personally identifiable information is stored.