Mandeville, Manchester - Dr Beverley Wright, Acting Regional Technical Director at the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) said the number of reported dengue cases have increased in Manchester, St Elizabeth and Clarendon.

“Since September 15 reported cases are increasing. An average of 10 patients are seen per day, per hospital; and about seven are admitted or kept for observation,” she said.

The majority of the cases are from South St Elizabeth, Mandeville, Newport in South Manchester, North Manchester, North Clarendon, May Pen, South Trelawny and South St. Ann areas which the SRHA serves. 

Wright said most patients are seen and treated at public hospitals. Some are given preliminary tests for dengue and some samples are sent for confirmatory tests at the National Public Health Lab.

Reportedly, no dengue-related deaths have been confirmed since this year.

Persons are encouraged to clear mosquito breeding sites in their communities, avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and be alert to dengue-related symptoms.

According to the data, Manchester has the second highest number of reported dengue cases in the country, Clarendon has the fifth highest and St Elizabeth has the seventh highest.

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