Public health confirms 8 local transmisions of dengue

(CNS): As local officials continue to monitor Cayman cases of the mosquito borne disease dengue fever the public health department confirmed the eighth case of local transmission Tuesday. According to the latest statistics and information released by the government health department 55 suspected cases have been r investigated for dengue since the beginning of the year. From those 55, 34 results have been received so far 16 of which were positive 18 negatives and 21 cases are still pending. From the sixteen cases exactly half were caught locally as the victims had no travel history to endemic countries.

Twelve of the people who have contracted dengue are residents of West Bay which is where sources tell CNS all the local incidents have occurred.

The three people in Bodden Town and the one George Town resident who have caught the fever had travelled overseas.  Since the beginning of November five new cases have been reported with two of the suspected victims being admitted to hospital bringing the total admissions relating to dengue to 12. Five of those cases have been confirmed so far as dengue and two were ruled out.

Dengue fever is a disease carried by the aedes aegypti which is present in Cayman but does not routinely carry the fever. Dengue is being spread locally as a resultof Cayman mosquitoes biting people who have contracted the disease elsewhere and then biting other people. The levels of dengue are high in the neighbouring countries of Jamaica and Cuba and as a result the MRCU is working flat out to keep the numbers of aedes aegypti, down especially in West Bay where local transmission is occurring.

For details on how to prevent catching dengue fever assisting in keeping down the relevant mosquito numbers and general information about symptoms see the fact sheet below.