ReliefWeb

In its latest official bulletin dated 20 October, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment has confirmed an increase in reported cases of dengue infection in the country with 1,155 laboratory confirmed cases of dengue fever recorded and six fatalities. The Hospital Services Programme and the Community Health Services Programme of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment continue to report increased patients presenting with symptoms consistent with Dengue fever. The last experience in the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) islands was in 2012 when 200 cases were reported. This increase in the number of cases is a clear indicator of a larger imminent outbreak on the island. As such, it is necessary to reduce the number of cases shortly. The direct and indirect costs of dengue illness and vector control programs represent a substantial economic burden on both the health sector and the overall economy of SVG. (IFRC, 2 Nov 2020)