Vector Control teams are continuing with their house-to-house/yard inspections and should be completing Middle Region, Dawn Beach, Oyster Pond and Red Pond by December 19.
Teams have already completed inspections in Point Blanche, Philipsburg, Fort William, Over the Bank, and Sucker Garden. Vector control teams carry out their inspections from 8.00am to 12.00pm.
Vector control teams have also visited all schools conducting inspections.
Persons experiencing dengue fever-like symptoms should immediately contact their family physician. Persons should also follow-through by going to the lab to have a dengue fever test carried out to determine if they actually have the virus.
The house-to-house/yard inspections are part of the public health response to dengue on the island and are part of an intensified community campaign to eradicate the mosquito that carries dengue fever. Some of the other intervention measures are a stepped up public awareness and community campaign, district clean-up, a closer working relationship with the health authorities on the French side of the island, and an enhanced surveillance reporting system.
Presentations on the cause of dengue fever, the symptoms, treatment and preventive measures to implement in your home, around your yards and at your place of business were done in various groups from the start of the outbreak up to the present.
These groups include 23 schools which included students and staff; a non-governmental organization, a parent-teachers association, a hotel, the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association, the General Practitioners and a Community Council.
The Island Government approved an emergency budget of over Naf.300,000 to cover a number of the aforementioned interventions related to the national outbreak.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that causes a severe flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults, but seldom causes death.
Anyone requiring information concerning measures to prevent mosquito breeding or to report areas of standing water, overgrown vegetation etc should immediately call the Hygiene Department at 542-2079.
