The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has disclosed a notable rise in dengue fever cases throughout the Caribbean amidst the observance of Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week 2024.
PAHO data reveals that this year has seen over 6.5 million cases of dengue fever across the Americas, tripling the figures from the same period in 2023.
In the English, Dutch, and French-speaking Caribbean alone, over 25,000 cases have been documented, exceeding half of last year's total.
PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa has cautioned about the lethal consequences of undiagnosed and untreated dengue, expressing concern over the region's alarming spike in cases.
Dr. Barbosa emphasized the importance of Mosquito Awareness Week, running from May 6 to 12, in rallying collective efforts to eradicate breeding grounds, halt disease transmission, and safeguard communities, particularly ahead of and during the rainy season.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito, responsible for transmitting dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, thrives in and around households, breeding in stagnant water-filled containers.
These diseases, characterized by fever, joint pain, skin rashes, and in severe cases, fatality, pose significant health risks.
Contributing factors to the mosquito's proliferation include rising temperatures, improper waste disposal, water-retaining containers, and weather anomalies.
PAHO advocates for active participation in Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week 2024, viewing it as an opportunity to coordinate, educate, and engage in cleanup initiatives.
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