Dengue outbreak could last into next year, says health ministry

The Ministry of Health & Wellness is warning that the current dengue outbreak could continue into next year.

The ministry declared an outbreak on Saturday, based on the increasing number of cases.

Health & Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton is advising members of the public to cooperate with vector control workers and community health aides who will be fogging communities and searching for mosquito breeding sites.

As at Friday, Jamaica had recorded 565 suspected, presumed and confirmed cases of dengue, 78 of which are confirmed cases, with the majority seen in St. Catherine, St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew. 

The last outbreak of dengue fever was in 2019.