The Ministry of Health is seeking to clarify the procedure for reporting confirmed cases and deaths related to dengue fever.
In a media release this morning, the Ministry said when an individual is admitted to the hospital with suspected dengue fever, a blood sample is collected for testing to confirm the presence of the virus.
It said in cases where a patient with suspected dengue fever passes away, a sample is also taken for confirmation.
The Ministry said all samples, whether from suspected dengue cases or fatalities, are sent to the Trinidad Public Health Laboratory (TPHL), which conveys the samples to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) laboratory, for analysis.
It said the testing process can have a turnaround time of up to two weeks.
“Therefore, the Ministry of Health can only confirm Dengue cases and deaths once a positive laboratory result is received from CARPHA.”