Health Officials Urge Dengue Precautions During Rainy Season

With the rainy season underway, health officials are reminding the public to take precautions against dengue. Frequent rainfall can leave standing water in and around homes, creating breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the virus.  The Ministry of Health and Wellness says its Vector Control Unit has increased surveillance, public education, yard inspections and mosquito-control activities across the country. Chief Vector Control Officer Kim Bautista says cooperation from residents is also important because many breeding sites are found on private property.

Kim Bautista, Chief of Operations, Vector Control Unit: “As you said, the ministry released a public advisory, essentially advising the public that as we continue through the peak of the rainy season for certain precautionary measures to take place because it is during this period of intense rainfall that we traditionally we enter what is the peak transmission season for dengue. So looking at the data over recent years the peak transmission period is between around mid-July to about mid-November. And that is when you would tend to see majority of the cases in communities that have conditions that are conducive to then get transmission. With the increase in rainfall you tend to have proliferation of mosquito breeding sites, whether it is poor drainage in certain areas and you have standing water, or whether you have multiple artificial containers that are used to store water or those that can retain water and serve as mosquito breeding sites. So you see elevated numbers being reported out of the Cayo and Stann Creek District. For the year we have seen 976 total cases that includes 647 lab confirmed cases and 329 clinical cases.”

Residents are advised to inspect their yards regularly and remove or empty objects that collect water, including tires, buckets, bottles and flowerpots. Water-storage drums should be properly covered, while drains and gutters should be kept clear.

Kim Bautista, Chief of Operations, Vector Control Unit: “We do expect that the cumulative number of cases will be less than what it was in 2025 and also 2024. But of course, we do need to take precaution because of this critical period. In terms of the vector control program, we do have, we operate with a staff of approximately 64 countrywide. We have roughly about at least 50 field technicians who are responsible for inspection of various premises, treating mosquito-breeding sites, and also supporting a public education awareness campaign. One of the other proactive measures that we are undertaking also is the inspection and fogging of primary and high schools. But we continue, as I say, to keep the public abreast in terms of what the situation is like.”

Mosquito spraying is continuing in selected areas, but Bautista says removing breeding sites remains one of the most effective ways for households to reduce their risk.  The public is also advised to seek medical attention for symptoms including high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea or a skin rash. Early diagnosis and medical care can reduce the risk of serious complications.