The rainy season brings the dreaded dengue which is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Asia Archibald, eight, a pupil of the Arima Girls' RC School, has died from suspected dengue fever. Her mother Anesha Archibald said she wanted answers from the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope.
In a sad twist of fate, Archibald's three-year-old daughter Amia has been diagnosed with dengue and the entire family at Devenish Street, Arima, has been placed on high alert. When contacted yesterday, Archibald said she was at the doctor's at Mt Hope. Meanwhile, Tabaquite MP Dr Suruj Rambachan said he was aware of a child who was hospitalised with dengue in Allen Road, Brasso Vendado. But he was unaware of any case in the Claxton Bay area.
Vigilance the key to stopping dengue
Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan says while there is no dengue outbreak, he is putting the country on alert. Interviewed on Friday, Khan said: "It's the rainy season. If you are not on alert, then you become complacent. Dengue and rainy season go hand in hand. If you are careless, then you run the risk of the mosquito breeding." He advised the population to make a concerted effort to keep surroundings clean. Khan added: "If there is stagnant water, there are chemicals they could place on the water."
He issued a call for the Regional Corporations to assist citizens by removing derelict vehicles, fridges, furniture and tyres. Closer to home, he called upon families to remove water in flower pots, cover barrels and ensure guttering has proper run off. Khan said: "Spraying is not efficient. Cleanliness is much more efficient. Vigilance is the key to stopping dengue." Before getting secondary help, Khan said it was important to remain hydrated and avoid non-aspirin drugs if one felt as if contracting dengue.
Cumberbatch: Ministry always keeps up dengue campaign
Chief Medical Officer Dr Anton Cumberbatch also said the Ministry of Health has always kept up a dengue campaign. Cumberbatch said: "We are in our heightened alert as always. Before the child...the Ministry of Health kept up the dengue campaign from the time the rainy season started, because we know we are going to get an infestation of mosquitoes."
Three days for testing
Responding to allegations that the public had to wait three days for testing, Khan said it was based on the traffic and the severity of the health problem. He said: "Once you are diagnosed or have symptoms similar, the blood is taken from you. You get the blood level which is the platelets right away. Once the platelets are normal, you don't stand any major risk. If there is a risk you have high level testing." Khan said the extended wait is due to the "large load at the public health institutions."
He added: "They have to take the blood to the lab. If you send it to the private institutions it takes less. You have a large load going to the public institutions. They have to deal with a larger amount of blood for testing and analysis." Khan made it abundantly clear there was no directive from the Ministry with regard to the waiting period. He said: "That is how long it takes. Sometimes earlier, sometimes later." Former Health Minister Therese Baptiste-Cornelis, at a news conference on Dengue Control and Prevention at the Ministry of Health, Park Street, Port-of-Spain on July 9, 2010, said the public should become more sensitive to keeping the environment clean. Spraying (dyna fogging) had been beefed up in various communities.
INITIAL REPORTS CLEAR DOCTORS in Asia's death
Yesterday, Khan said preliminary reports have cleared medical staff of wrongdoing in the death of Asia Archibald. Khan, in a CNC report, said: "From the reports I'm getting, the doctors followed protocol. The only thing that is lacking is the early discharge. And, I want to see why." He also said "things are being put in place to prevent further recurrence."
Dengue stats
Year Reported cases
2008 295
2009 1,266
2010 242
Preventative action
• Spraying of homes involving the use of insecticides on the walls and fogging around the buildings, and spraying from the road via the ultra low volume have been undertaken.
• A larvicidal applied to water stored in barrels for drinking has been applied.
• Community dengue health education and collaboration with the regional corporations for clean-up orders and notices, and clean-up campaigns for the removal of discarded materials have been undertaken.
• Eliminate all breeding sites. This is necessary to control mosquitoes that have migrated from surrounding areas.
• Clear all areas with uncontrolled weeds near your home; where possible clear vacant lots that surround you.
• Empty all uncovered water tanks, cans, bottles, jars and other vessels that will hold small quantities of water. These areas should be checked frequently.
• Clean watercourses in the community.
• Domestic hygiene is of absolute and critical importance.
For more information contact the
Health Ministry at 623-8492/Vector Control at 663-2281 or e-mail the Ministry at corpcom@health.gov.tt