A dengue outbreak has been declared in T&T. The confirmed deaths of three people due to the virus, unconfirmed deaths of two others and more than 600 reported cases of dengue prompted chief medical officer Dr Anton Cumberbatch to make the declaration yesterday.
3 Dengue Deaths
After two years, Trinidad and Tobago (TT) is again grappling with a dengue outbreak. The Health Ministry has received reports of five deaths out of which three have been confirmed as due to dengue haemorrhagic fever. There are approximately 600 clinical cases reported. Dengue fever is caused by an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito.
…Dengue Strikes
Three people have died of dengue haemorrhagic fever, while tests are being conducted to determine if two others also died of the illness. In addition, there are 600 confirmed cases of dengue in Trinidad and Tobago, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Anton Cumberbatch, said yesterday.
…Health Ministry moves to prevent spread
…21 reported infections in Tobago
Tobago has had 21 reported cases of dengue for the months of June and July, the Ministry of Health said yesterday. Blood samples have been taken and sent to the Trinidad Public Health Lab for further testing to confirm if the persons had contracted dengue fever.
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‘The Aedes aegypti is a mosquito that likes people. She is never more at home than in your home. Like all mosquitoes (that I know of) the female Aedes is a vampire, she MUST have a blood meal. Any warm-blooded animal will do, but the nice smooth expanse of skin on human arms, legs, face, back, bosom is, for her, like a fast food restaurant — it’s a quick-fix meal. Once she’s drunk her fill of your blood (and mine) she flies off to find the nearest jug, flower vase, formicle, upturned lid, discarded styrotex cup full of nice clean tap, or rainwater, to lay her eggs …’
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Dengue could have should have been whiped by now. There are several inovative low cost ways to fight mosquito reproduction. As long as there is rain and stagnant water there will be mosquitoes. India has embarked on a low cost scheme, they are breeding thousands of small sardines because they realise that the sardines eat the mosquito lavae. In the U.S. there are all kinds of technology to combat the mosquito. They were affected by the West Nile disease a few year back. One of the most simple one is the use of lpg tanks to kill the mosquitoes.
Dengue outbreak in Tobago says CMO
There is an outbreak of dengue fever in Tobago says County Medical Officer of Health Dr Murchison Melville.
Dengue outbreak in Tobago
Health Secretary ‘confident situation under control’
“There are certain plants that mosquitoes can’t stand the scent of. The list includes catnip, rosemary, citronella grass, lavender, cinnamon, and peppermint—all good things to keep in mind as you’re landscaping your backyard.
Like vampires, mosquitoes are said to be garlic-phobes. Slice a clove in half and rub the cut side on your skin, or mix one part garlic juice with 5 parts water in a spray bottle, shake, and spritz it on. If you can’t bear the smell on your body, saturate dish cloths in the solution to hang around your patio when you’re hanging out outdoors.
Placing rosemary and sage directly onto the coals while you’re grilling can also help keep critters away.
Certain essential oils, like lemon eucalyptus oil, cinnamon oil, and caster oil, are also said to be effective mosquito deterrents. Try mixing 10-25 drops of one of the aforementioned oils with 2 tablespoons of either olive oil or any other kind of cooking oil to spray on your skin.
Mosquitoes are most active at sunrise and sunset, so try to avoid being outside 30 minutes before and after dawn and dusk.
They’re attracted to dark clothing, so think white/light when you’re getting dressed to spend time outdoors.
Flowery perfumes and soaps also have come-hither effect on mosquitoes, so avoid them outside. Beware of scented deodorants and hair products too.
To create a mosquito no-fly zone, you can also position yourself near a fan to make it much harder for them to land.
Crushed parsley mixed into a bottle of apple cider vinegar is also good for deterring mosquitoes. Curbly.com suggests rubbing the mixture on your skin, or soaking a handkerchief in it to tie around your neck.”
–Lifestyle Magazine.
The aedes tend to attack during the day so get rid of all stagnant water. And try the afore mentioned.