Government to launch mass cleanup to fight Dengue Fever

The Aedis Aegypti mosquito breeds in stagnant water and carries the dengue virus to humans

Local Government Minister Chandresh Sharma assured citizens of Trinidad and Tobago Wednesday that there is no need for any concern about dengue.

The minister told reporters the Government is doing “everything required” in the fight against dengue. He noted that all health centres are on high alert and that no one who is ill would be turned away.

He also promised a national clean-up campaign to help destroy the carrier.
Dengue is spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito that breeds in stagnant water.

Sharma said authorities will ask citizens to remove old vehicles, cut their lawns, dispose of garbage properly and do everything to destroy breeding grounds for the mosquito.

Sharma said, “We are asking for full co-operation from corporate, private and all government institutions,” he said.

“We are asking every truck driver in this country, every truck owner, every backhoe owner/operator to make their vehicles available at least two days between now and September, where every old car, old bed, mattress, fridge, stove will be picked up and taken to a place where they should be at.”

Sharma dismissed questions about the cost of this operation. “Rest assured the Government has responded and the Prime Minister was very clear in her instructions that we do what is required,” he said.

Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan explained that dengue has been present in the country for nearly 30 years. He said the prevelant strain is fatal to young children.

“Our young children are susceptible to the fatal form of dengue and that is a message that has to be articulated loud and clear,” he said.

Dengue fever begins with a sudden high fever, often as high as 104 - 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

A flat, red rash may appear over most of the body 2 - 5 days after the fever starts. A second rash, which looks like the measles, appears later in the disease. Infected people may have increased skin sensitivity and are very uncomfortable.

Other symptoms include:

• Headache (especially behind the eyes)
• Fatigue 
• Joint Aches 
• Muscle Aches
• Nausea
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Vomiting