The Ministry of Health and Wellness in Jamaica declared a dengue fever outbreak due to exceeding the epidemic threshold for July, August, and September.
“This means the country has seen an increase in the number of cases compared to what is normally seen during these months of the year,” the ministry stated.
According to reports, Jamaica has reported 565 suspected, presumed, and confirmed dengue cases as of September 23rd. Of these, 78 cases have been confirmed, with the highest concentration in Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, and St. Thomas.
Jamaica is facing a dengue outbreak primarily caused by the dangerous Dengue Type Two strain, which hasn’t been widespread since 2010. This strain can be fatal and exhibits multiple dengue symptoms. While no dengue-related deaths have been confirmed, the ministry is investigating six deaths for possible dengue links.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, and rash. In severe cases, it can lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) with internal bleeding, liver enlargement, and high fever.
The last dengue outbreak was in 2019.
