Over 2800 dengue cases recorded in 4 months

Some 2852 cases of dengue have been recorded countrywide, from January of this year to date.
This figure surpasses statistics recorded in 2023, which showed that some 2169 cases were detected from January to August.
Up to that time, there were 239 patients hospitalised and 11 dengue related deaths.
For 2024 so far, there have been two dengue related deaths.
Last week, it was reported that there were some 43 active cases of the infection but this number has since decreased to about 30.
Five cases were recorded in Region One (Barima-Waini); four cases in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); two cases in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); four cases in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); one case in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); two cases in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); three cases in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); 15 cases in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Essequibo); and six cases in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
During a telephone interview with Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, told Guyana Times that the highest number of cases were recorded in Regions Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
According to reports, some 440 dengue cases were tallied for Region Six for the year.
“For this year so far, we recorded more cases in Region Nine and Regions Three, Four, Five and Seven might be the lowest”.
“It is important for our people to know that across the Americas there is an upsurge of dengue cases and therefore we need to be very cognisant of this and take necessary action,” Dr. Ramsammy revealed.

Seek medical help
Meanwhile, authorities are working assiduously to combat the presence of mosquitoes in various regions.
Earlier this month, regional health authorities in Region Six had complained about a mosquito infestation in the region and had called on the central government for help.
Regional Chairman David Armogan had argued that there were only two fogging machines in the region and that was not enough to battle the mosquito infestation.
Dr. Ramsammy explained that the Health Ministry is still assessing the situation and has mobilised primary healthcare centres across the country to treat the disease.
On this point, he disclosed that all doctors countrywide have been provided with the latest information on treatment guidelines and are conducting seminars to foster further discussions.
“The numbers have been going down from the last few weeks. There was for about two or three weeks between and 122 to 165 new cases per week… There were also persons who had dengue but were not diagnosed during the active phase. So, we know about 250 people may have had dengue and we tested after they would have recovered or during their recovery stages,” The Advisor added.
To ensure prevention and a curb in the transmission of Dengue, several environmental and entomological measures have been increased across Guyana, such as fogging (fumigation).
The Ministry of Health has also increased the procurement and distribution of rapid diagnostic test kits and other laboratory supplies and equipment to ensure adequate diagnostic capacity.

Dengue in Americas
According to a January 2024 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, “dengue has become a growing public health concern with approximately four billion people in 130 countries identified at risk of infection. Since the beginning of 2023, the world has been facing an upsurge of dengue cases and deaths reported in endemic areas, with further spread to areas previously free of dengue. More than five million dengue cases and over 5000 dengue-associated deaths have been recorded across all six WHO regions.”
In March of this year, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) warned about the surge in dengue cases in the Americas. As of March 26, 2024, over 3.5 million cases and more than 1000 deaths have been reported in the region.
Guyana recorded 7,859 cases of dengue in 2023, while hospitalisations related to dengue reached 1,182 individuals.

Dengue vaccines
Despite the country’s ability to control the number of dengue cases, the Health Ministry is actively seeking further measures to minimise these occurrences.
Speaking at a recent event at the ministry’s headquarters on Brickdam, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony had told reporters that the ministry is currently in the process of acquiring a new vaccine for dengue.
“We are now trying to get a particular vaccine that will cover the four different types of dengue. As of right now, we are still exploring that option because the vaccines are quite expensive,” Dr. Anthony stated.
The minister also highlighted the introduction of a new technique known as Abate to prevent the spread of dengue fever.
Abate is a larvicide, which means, it effectively targets and kills mosquito larvae, specifically those of Aedes species, helping to prevent the spread of dengue fever.
The ministry has been signaling its interest in dengue vaccines for years, and it was reported last year that the authority was awaiting official word from the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunisation, which is currently analysing data.
It was said at the time that this data would help the ministry finalise its decision to purchase vaccines for use in the National Dengue Control Programme.

Public advice
Dengue is an acute febrile disease that is caused by the dengue virus which is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. There are four serotypes of the dengue virus known as DENV 1-4, each of which can cause an infection. Re-infection with a different serotype from that of a previous infection can result in a more severe form of the disease.
Persons with Dengue may experience fever, eye pain (back of the eye), muscle/joint pain, skin rash, and headache and generalised weakness. Persons affected by severe dengue (haemorrhagic dengue) may develop complications that are associated with bleeding and clotting disorders.
All Guyanese are encouraged to do source reduction otherwise known as the elimination of mosquito breeding sites, especially around homes, schools and their surroundings.
Dengue fever outbreaks are more likely during the rainy season because of stagnant water, therefore open water tanks must always be secure by covering them with a net or a cover and ensure that all extra openings are sealed.
For those persons residing in and around mining camps where malaria cases are more prevalent, the Ministry of Health advises that you sleep under treated mosquito nets which are being provided free of cost through the Vector Control Services Unit. Personal protection measures include the use of long sleeve clothing and mosquito repellents. (G1)