There is a report of an infestation of the aedes aegypti mosquito at San Fernando General Hospital, where patients are presently being treated for dengue.
While Medical Officer of Health at the San Fernando City Corporation Dr Ingrid Poon Kin did not confirm the report, she admitted there was a problem. "I was told that there is a problem at the hospital with the drains and so, that needs cleaning," she said. "I am also having talks with the CEO of the South West Regional Health Authority, Paula Chester-Cumberbatch, and we plan to do something about it," Poon Kin said in an interview on Wednesday evening. She confirmed that within the past two weeks, a total of 13 patients suffering with dengue had been treated at the San Fernando hospital. Many others, she said, had been treated at private institutions. Eight of those, including 14-year-old Sherwin Bandoo, whose death is under investigation, were hospitalised last week. At the time of the interview, she said she did not have the figure for this week.
Poon Kin said based on the hospital information, most of the cases came from the districts of Marabella and Cocoyea. She said the Insect Vector Control Division was doing all within its power to control the spread of the mosquito by fogging the area. She said the division embarked on a programme of fogging in June and this would continue until the end of July. She said those areas from where the cases emanated had been given priority. She added, however, that the Insect Vector Control officers would spray when requests were made. Poon Kin added that the officers were also spraying vacant lots and abandoned buildings, which are fertile breeding grounds.