Dengue fever cases continue to increase in neighbouring Martinique, with health authorities reporting 830 disease diagnoses between September 11 and 17.
The previous week saw 705 cases.
According to local news reports, the neighbouring French-speaking Island estimated that 6,500 patients had consulted primary care doctors for the mosquito-borne disease.
And worryingly, an estimated sixty percent of hospitalizations have involved children, Martinique 1 Ere has reported.
Saint Lucia has been stepping up its disease surveillance given the dengue situation in Martinique and other Caribbean countries.
Last week, the Health Ministry emphasised the importance of collective efforts in preventing and controlling Dengue in Schools.
The Aedes Aegypti mosquito spreads dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika.
And the Ministry noted the presence of mosquito breeding sites on school premises.
In this regard, a Ministry release said bearing in mind the vulnerability in school settings; it was essential to reduce the risk of dengue transmission by controlling the Aedes Aegypti mosquito’s breeding on school premises.
