Jamaican dengue outbreak surges in wake of Sandy

(CNS): As Cayman begins to count a rise in the number of local transmission of Dengue fever Jamaica is dealing with a surge of cases according to local officials. The Jamaican health minisitry is reporting that the number of suspected cases has risen to 2198.  Rainfall from Hurricane Sandy last Wednesday has created new mosquito breeding sites officials say as they warn people to be vigilant before control operations, including spraying and fogging begins again this week. Cayman is also seeing its operations increase after the fifth locally transmitted case was revealed last week. The Cayman Islands public health officials are still waiting on result of a number of other cases sent overseas for testing.

The department said it is waiting on results for a further 20 cases which means there are likely to be more confirmed locally transmitted cases over the coming weeks as a result of the recent rain and the increase in standing water where the Aedes aegypti breeds.