ST.VINCENT & GRENADINES – The Ministry of Education on Monday said school leaders should allow students to wear light-coloured long pants/tights and long-sleeved tops when classes resume amidst the dengue outbreak in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

School leaders were further advised to facilitate the reduction of the breeding of mosquitoes at school by discarding stagnant water collected in containers around the school compound and covering stored water properly.  In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Education said it was working closely with the Ministry of Health to address the ongoing Dengue Fever outbreak in the country.

It said the Surveillance Committee of the Ministry of Health had reported that the current increase in Dengue Fever cases was noted in May 2024 and was declared an epidemic in July 2024.   There were 542 laboratory-confirmed cases of Dengue Fever in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as of Aug. 22.

The cases of Dengue Fever have been reported in all health districts, with the greatest number in Calliaqua, Kingstown and Pembroke. Most persons are in the age group of 0-33 years.  The Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which carries the Dengue Fever virus, typically bites during the daytime hours when persons are active. Therefore, bites can occur at home, work and school. In view of the current situation, the Ministry of Education is also recommending reduced rubbish and overgrown bush around the school.

The ministry is also encouraging the use of insect repellent with careful consideration for those with respiratory challenges.   Principals are also being asked to open schools to allow increased effectiveness of fogging by the Vector Control Unit.   They are also asked to encourage the health and family life education teachers to include Dengue Fever prevention in their lessons.  Schools are also to inform the health nursing supervisors of staff and students who have been diagnosed with Dengue Fever.  (iwsvg.com)…[+]