Health Ministry: People not taking dengue fight seriously enough
The Ministry of Health says it has taken legal action against 43 people for failure to clean their properties, thereby allowing them to become mosquito breeding grounds, and making the fight against dengue fever more challenging.
During a press conference to launch the start of the 2024/2025 influenza season at the Ministry’s headquarters on Friday (September 13, 2024), Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh reported that the Ministry had issued some 994 notices ordering people to clean their yards.
He revealed, however, that when public health inspectors revisited within seven to 14 days, no cleaning had been done.
“So far, we have instituted 43 legal proceedings. That means 43 persons have not heeded the simple call to help us in this fight against dengue,” the health minister said.
According to epidemiologist Dr Avery Hinds, there have been 1,387 dengue cases for the year so far.
Some 424 cases were confirmed in August alone.
Minister Deyalsingh underscored that the fight against dengue needs the community’s support as people are still not adhering to tips to prevent mosquito breathing sites—many of which can be found among tires, flowerpots and bromeliads.
He said while people may love their plants, when it comes to fighting dengue, “human life is more important than plant life”.
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