An adult male has been confirmed as the first recorded death as a result of Dengue Fever in Barbados. This was confirmed today by the Ministry of Health.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joy St. John expressed sympathy to the family of the deceased and is urging Barbadians who are experiencing symptoms of Dengue Fever, including sudden high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain; or symptoms of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever such as bleeding from nose, mouth and gums, frequent vomiting or difficulty breathing, to seek immediate medical attention.

Barbadians are also reminded to check their premises for possible mosquito breeding places and to cover water containers such as buckets, small plastic containers and drums or to dispose of these in a proper manner, in order to reduce mosquito breeding.

The Ministry of Health is continuing to enhance its vector control and prevention activities, including collaboration with the Ministry of Education to conduct inspection and fogging of schools. Regular fogging of areas with heavy mosquito infestation will continue.

Fogging continues in four parishes next week as the Ministry of Health continues its thrust to eradicate the deadly aedes aegypti mosquito and reduce the instances of dengue throughout the island.

On Monday, August 30, the team from the Vector Control Unit will visit St. Joseph in the areas of Horse Hill, Suriname, 1st & 2nd Avenue Vaughan Land, Joes River Tenantry, Bowling Alley, Bonwell, Tourville, Orange Grove, Blackmans Tenantry and the environs.

The following day, Tuesday, August 31, fogging will move to the parishes of St. George and St. Michael, where Dash Valley, Monroe Road, Mapp Hill, Haynes Hill, Pasture Road, Cutting Road, Palm Tree Road, Salters Tenantry Road, Roberts Tenantry, Haggatt Hall, Haggatt Hall Development, Salters Main Road, Neils Road, Cosy Corner, Bird Hill and the surrounding districts will be sprayed.

On Wednesday, September 1, communities in St. Michael will continue to be targeted. These are: Parkinson Field, Factory Avenue, Bottom Close, Pinelands, Golden Rock and the environs.

More fogging will be done in St. Michael on Thursday, September 2. This time Lower Collymore Rock, Jemmotts Lane, Woodside Gardens, Beckles Hill, St. Paul’s Avenue, Dunlow Lane, Henrys Lane, Culloden Road, Lawrence Avenue, Fairview Place, Alleynes Avenue, Grants Avenue, Walcotts Avenue, Old Quarry Avenue, Bay Gardens, 1st & 2nd Avenue Beckles Hill, Lukes Avenue, Palm Tree Avenue, Browns Avenue, Gittens Avenue, Clarkes Avenue, Curwens Avenue, Gullyfield Avenue, Jessamine Avenue, Sand Box Avenue, Upper Bay Street, Bedford Avenue, Chelsea Road, Chelsea Gardens and the surrounding areas will be targeted.

Fogging will conclude in St. James on Friday, September 3, when the team visits Walton Drive, Paradise Heights, University Hill, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th Avenues Wanstead Terrace, 1st – 16th Avenue West Terrace, Oxnards Terrace, Oxnards Crescent and the environs.

All fogging runs from 4:30 until 8:30 p.m. and householders are asked to assist in the elimination of the deadly aedes aegypti mosquito by opening windows and doors to allow the fog to penetrate.

Persons with respiratory problems should protect themselves from inhaling the fog, while pedestrians and motorists are encouraged to proceed with caution when encountering fogging operations on the street.

Parents are also advised to prohibit children from playing in the fog or running behind the fogging machine. {DATA COURTESY – BGIS}