The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

THE Department of Environmental Health has “ramped up” its fogging programme after one case of the chikungunya virus was confirmed in the country, according to Environment Minister Ken Dorsett.

In a statement released yesterday, Mr Dorsett said the DEHS is aware of the threat to the health of the population and has also implemented a heightened monitoring programme for Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that carries the virus, at all ports of entry into the Bahamas.

His statement came after the Ministry of Health announced over the weekend that a tourist from the Dominican Republic, who arrived in the Bahamas on June 29, tested positive for the virus.

“The Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) is aware of this threat to the health of the population. 

In January 2014, DEHS implemented a heightened monitoring programme for Aedes aegypti at all ports of entry in The Bahamas in response to the alert of chikungunya transmission in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

“This activity will continue. Additionally, the systematic monitoring of localities for mosquito breeding will continue and fogging (spraying) exercises will be conducted for the established prevention protocols,” Mr Dorsett said.

“The DEHS and the Department of Public Health and other relevant agencies of government have put together a public education programme that is already underway. This initiative will be stepped up in the immediate future. 

“Members of the public have a responsibility to ensure that their immediate environment is not a breeding ground for mosquitoes, the carrier of this virus.  Ensure that empty containers, pots and garbage bins around your homes do not have settled water in them that can become breeding grounds for mosquitos.

“The Ministry of the Environment and Housing and the DEHS will continue to work with the Ministry of Health to contain the disease and to ensure adequate and optimum treatment of those who may be infected. The DEHS has also been instructed to ramp up its fogging programme throughout the archipelago.”

According to the statement,  there have been a total of 165,800 suspected and 4,805 laboratory-confirmed chikungunya cases from five countries: Dominican Republic (77,320), Martinique (35,000), Guadeloupe (35,000), Haiti (11,802), and St Maarten (3,380).

The highest incidences have been reported from St Maarten (115 cases per 1,000 population), Martinique (76 ), St Barthelemy (74) and Guadeloupe (52).

Like dengue fever, the chikungunya virus is spread through mosquito bites. The virus causes fever, joint pain, headaches and a rash. Residents are encouraged to use pest repellents and to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants as protection.