Local dengue cases highest in three decades

| 11/01/2013

Aedes-aegypti-2.jpg(CNS): Officials have confirmed that there were 34 cases of dengue fever reported to the authorities in 2012, which is the highest number recorded in the last thirty years. The Cayman Islands normally sees one or two cases a year and usually in patients who have travelled to endemic countries. During this past year however there were 23 local transmissions, 19 of which were residents of West Bay. In total the public healthdepartment investigated 94 potential cases of the disease, which is spread by the aedes aegypti mosquito.

Since the last government update on cases in Cayman, four new suspect cases were reported, none of which had a travel history, while 17 results came back from the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre with only three positive tests. With one case reported so far this year and the test results, which came through over the last week, there are now just nine results outstanding.

Of the 34 confirmed cases only eleven appeared to have contracted the disease in an endemic country while the remaining 23 were all infected locally. In addition to the 19 West Bay residents, two were living in George Town and two more in Bodden Town.

Some 25 people have been admitted to hospital and treated for suspected dengue with 13 of them turning out to be positive and three patients still awaiting results.

 

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Government has got to get a grip of this very quickly and publicly too..will be a disaster for tourism and new work permits if allowed to continue. People will choose to go to Florida instead..

  2. Anonymous says:

    Sounds like Mrcu are doing a good job controlling these mosquitoes lol! Every week there is a case of dengue fever reported!

    Braca

    • Anonymous says:

      You prove yourself to be an idiot in so many different threads it is impressive.

  3. Anonymous says:

    I've lived here 40+ years and the spraying by planes and trucks seems at the lowest (in recent years) it's ever been!

    Meanwhile the Govt. cuts MRCU budget and creates Nation Building Fund to give away millions to churches. Is there any shortage of churches on our island?…NO!

     

  4. Anonymous says:

    They need to start back spraying the planes & boats!!

  5. ANONYMOUS says:

    But isn't that the case for most countries?

  6. Anonymous says:

    You can thank those "GMO" mosies that wrer released…I said it was a Trojan Horse!

  7. Bald Eagle says:

    Is this a direct consequence of the MRU having their budget cut?

    Has anyone considered the impact on tourism, if we can not eradicate this debilitating disease?

    Anyone out there quallified to comment? 

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, plot the leadership at MRCU with the increase in local dengue transmission over time and you will fine your answer.