Port of Spain, July 26, 2024: In January 2024, the Ministry of Health launched a comprehensive communication strategy, aimed at educating the public on source reduction strategies to combat the breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector responsible for Dengue Fever.
The communication strategy included the following:
Press Advertisements: Beginning in January 2024, 13 targeted press advertisements were placed in the three national newspapers, reinforcing the message of source reduction and personal protection tips to prevent mosquito bites. Key placements include:
- Trinidad Express and Daily News Limited on January 10, 2024, with the theme "Clean Your Surroundings."
- Daily News Limited, Trinidad Express, and Guardian Media Ltd on April 15, 2024, emphasizing "Protect Yourself from Mosquito-Borne Diseases (MBD)."
- Daily News Ltd and Trinidad Express on June 26 and 27, 2024, with messages such as "Clean Your Yard/Surroundings" and "Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites."
Public Outreaches: The Ministry conducted three major public outreach events in the east, west and south districts in May 2024, to educate the public about the importance of eliminating mosquito breeding sites and recognising the signs and symptoms of Dengue Fever.
Clinical Sensitisations: Clinical sensitisation on the signs, symptoms and treatment for Dengue Fever, to all Chief of Medical Staff at all the Regional Health Authorities. Further, communication material for pregnant women on personal protection tips to reduce harm to them and their unborn babies, was shared.
Social Media Campaign: A robust social media campaign has been active since January 2024, featuring more than 25 posts with messages "Clean Your Surroundings", "Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites” and “Dengue Warning Signs”.
Radio and Television Interviews: The Ministry has also utilised radio and television interviews to disseminate critical information. Ten interviews have been conducted with key health officials, including:
- Dr. Mark Dookeran, Chief Public Health Inspector, on May 1, 2024, May 27, 2024, and June 19, 2024.
- Dr. Jeanine St. Bernard, County Medical Officer of Health, Caroni, on May 3, 2024, and May 6, 2024.
- The Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health, appeared alongside Dr. Pedram Lalla Registrar and Dr. Osafo Fraser, Specialist Medical Officer, of the Insect Vector Control Division, on July 9, 2024, July 10, 2024, and July 12, 2024.
Press Conferences: The Ministry hosted three press conferences to provide the public with an overview of Dengue Fever cases in the country, source reduction strategies to reduce the breeding of the Aedes egypti mosquito, and to highlight the collaborative work with state agencies to address the incidence of Dengue Fever.
Key Discussion Points from the Ministry of Health Press Conference on July 26, 2024 at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital
The Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health
To date, there are 509 laboratory confirmed cases of Dengue and five (5) laboratory confirmed deaths. Data has shown that County Victoria accounts for 50 percent of all confirmed cases, while St Patrick and Caroni account for 22 percent and 14 percent respectively.
There has been a surge of Dengue Fever cases in 123 countries globally. Reports that there are approximately 1.4 million cases of Dengue worldwide with the majority of the cases within the Latin American region. There has also been a change in the geographic location of the Aedes egypti mosquito due to increased rainfall and temperature changes.
While collaboration between state agencies has been ongoing, public support is needed to reduce the breeding sites of the Aedes egypti mosquito. It must be noted that no amount of spraying can manage the breeding sites for mosquitoes within homes.
In most instances, the Aedes egypti mosquito breeds in clean, clear and standing water and survives in flower pots and guttering. It can also be found in unusual breeding sites such as wares drainers and within the grooves of sliding doors in bathrooms.
The role of Inspectors is to advise on how to eliminate areas that harbour and or breed mosquitoes. Thus far, 166 notices have been issued to property owners to clean up their surroundings, and these homeowners have cooperated with the Ministry of Health. However, in some instances, citizens are not cooperating with the Public Health Inspectors and have also been hostile.
While state agencies will continue to work together, there is a personal responsibility to ensure that breeding sites around and within the home are eliminated. Dengue has been endemic in Trinidad and Tobago for decades.
Similar to antibiotic resistance as a result of abuse and overuse, reports have indicated that mosquitoes have become immune to some commercial mosquito repellents due to the overuse of chemical intervention vs non-chemical intervention which is source reduction. The management of Dengue calls for an integrated source reduction process. Spraying is not the only vector control method. For spraying to be effective, it has to be repeated every 10 days which is impossible, biologically irresponsible and destroys the ecosystem.
Data has shown that younger persons between the ages of 11 to 20 are the most affected by dengue. As it relates to pregnant women, through the Directorate of Women’s Health, Antenatal Clinics have been educating women on the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases to women and their unborn babies.
Dr. Osafo Fraser, Specialist Medical Officer
Within the last six months, staff of the Insect Vector Control Division have visited more than 150,000 premises across the country. During these visits, breeding sites were found in containers used by farmers to collect water for crop irrigation, water storage barrels for household use, garbage disposal containers and unused containers around the yard or home. Oftentimes, these breeding sites are found where a positive case of dengue occurs.
Some homeowners are not responding to pleas to dispose of breeding sites.
Dr. Pedram Lalla
There has been misinformation on the breeding sites for the Aedes egypti mosquito. Larvae from the Aedes egypti mosquito can only survive in clean, standing water and not dirty stagnant water. It is highly unlikely that larvae from the Aedes mosquitoes will be found breeding in drains or dirty swampy water. These are much more likely to be a source of breeding for the Culex mosquito, which is not a carrier of dengue.
Dr. Sandi Arthur, Health Promotions Manager
There is a concern for pregnant women if they contract mosquito-borne diseases, in particular, Zika, due to the risk of congenital effects. Pregnant women are at risk for developing complications of dengue like dengue hemorrhagic fever, as pregnancy is an immunocompromised state.
Dr. Reeta Moonesar, Head of Emergency San Fernando General Hospital
There is a spike in cases and there is an increase in hospitalisations. However, there is a system in place within the public health systems to manage the influx of persons at all health centres and hospitals. With the different classifications of dengue - for mild cases of dengue without warning signs, treatment includes rest, oral rehydration; intake of oral rehydration solution (ORS), fruit juices, fluids containing electrolytes and sugar, e.g. Gatorade, coconut water, and the use of paracetamol. Medications such as Aspirin, Cataflam, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Olfen and Advil should not be used to treat Dengue as they can worsen symptoms. Persons exhibiting the following warning signs such as persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pains, fatigue, restlessness, or bleeding e.g. in gums or urine, should visit their nearest health facility or hospital immediately.
The Ministry of Health remains committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
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