Opposition Spokesman on Health, Dr. Morais Guy, is chiding the government for what he says is its reactive moves in the face of a possible outbreak of dengue fever on the island.
Dr. Guy says it’s a known fact that each year, there’s heightened transmission of dengue during the hurricane season.
Robian Williams reports.
Dr. Guy says the government ought not to have been caught flat footed, amid reports of a possible outbreak of the mosquito borne disease.
The opposition spokesman says he has been receiving reports of a surge in the number of patients being diagnosed with dengue fever.
He adds that the situation is more concerning given the testing constraints at the National Public Health Laboratory. While PCR testing for dengue is available at the lab, the reagent for the anti-body testing is unavailable.
All 14 parishes have reported cases of dengue fever.
Dr. Guy is acknowledging the allocation by the Ministry of Health, of US$200 million to support drain cleaning efforts across the island. But he notes that the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which transmits dengue, breeds in clean water.
