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Saturday, October 12, 2013
A new strain of dengue fever, climate change and "less than exemplary practices" by some householders have resulted in over 600 confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne illness as of September 21 this year, compared to 233 cases in 2012.
Speaking at a recent press briefing on Influenza A H1N1 and dengue fever, Chief Medical Officer Dr Joy St John explained that these factors had created the "perfect storm", resulting in the increase in dengue cases.
She said that studies done by local environmental health specialists with responsibility for vector control showed that the Bajan mosquito was developing and going through its cycle of maturity faster. However, she noted this was not peculiar to Barbados since there were similar reports in other countries.
"The effect of climate change on the mosquito is probably part of the reason why we have seen some of this increase. It is almost like a perfect storm because we also have the issue of the rainfall, the issue of less than exemplary practices because this mosquito is domesticated" We need to work with householders to eradicate all sources of breeding.
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