TCI and Bahamas Prepared for Dengue says PAHO

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TheBahamas, July 2, 2023 – As the rainy season begins and mosquitos become more frequent visitors, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) representative for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, Dr. Eldonna Boisson, is assuring residents that both countries are well prepared to fight mosquito borne diseases, especially dengue fever.

She spoke to Magnetic Media recently detailing what the two countries had been doing.

“There has been really good preparedness in terms of detecting early which is key, if you can detect early then you can prevent spread, you can treat early to prevent illness,” she said.

Boisson explained that important steps included labs being able to detect the illness, hospitals and clinicians having the necessary equipment and medication to treat diseases.  She said those things are in place for the two countries.

“Those things are in place, there is ongoing surveillance– behind the scenes.  If you’re not having many cases people don’t know all the effort that goes in.”

While numbers were relatively low in the region, she warned that with the rainy season coming up residents could never be too careful but once again assured that the Governments were putting in the work.

“Later in the year there’s going to be some training.  PAHO is putting on some training for the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas in Vector Control,” she explained.

The Turks and Caicos has already started fogging exercises with one round completed since June.