More than 300 cases of dengue fever in Guyana last week; Also an increase in Suriname

Guyana, like Suriname and many other countries in South America, recorded a significant increase in the number of people infected with dengue (dengue virus) last week. Guyanese Health Minister Frank Anthony urged people to take precautions to protect themselves.

“In the last week we have recorded 317 positive cases across Guyana,” Anthony told the News Room on Sunday.

By comparison, based on local data, Guyana grapples with an average of about 80 cases each week. The majority of these cases are recorded in the second, third, fourth and fifth regions.

Anthony noted that an increase in the number of individuals infected with dengue has been observed throughout South America.

The World Health Organization warned last week that dengue cases could reach record levels this year, in part because of global warming, which provides more favorable conditions for the dengue mosquitoes that spread dengue.

The last period showed an upward trend in dengue cases in Suriname. In addition to the ongoing dengue prevention activities, the Surinamese Office of Public Health (BOG) will increase spraying activities to the spraying area as necessary as a next preventive measure against dengue. The BOG has long started with analyzes and preventive measures against dengue.

The BOG will head to the hotspots for more activities in the context of awareness and prevention. Brokopondolaan and bypass routes will start on Tuesday 25th July.

Environmental inspectors have already started inspection activities and have taken the necessary measures to encourage citizens to clean mosquito breeding areas as much as possible and to advise residents.

In the morning hours, environmental inspectors will visit the neighborhoods where the spraying activities will take place to prepare the residents for the spraying that will take place in the afternoon. All of this is highly dependent on weather conditions, and sprinkler work will not be carried out if it rains.