Technical Director of Epidemiology at the Ministry of Health, Dr Avery Hinds has revealed that persons under the age of 20 are being seriously impacted by the Dengue virus.
Speaking at a press briefing this morning, for the launch of this year’s Influenza vaccination drive, Dr Hinds said that as of September 12, Trinidad and Tobago has recorded a total of 1,387 confirmed Dengue cases, the majority of which seem to be impacting the younger population- in particular persons under the age of 20.
He also noted that the peak number of cases so far was recorded in July with 652 confirmed infections, by August cases dropped to 424. Hinds said the ministry was hopeful that the downward trend would continue.
Dr Hinds also advised that their are now two types of the dengue virus circulating within the population.
“We have sub-type 2 and sub-type 3 in circulation in the population at this time. Of the cases that have been sub-typed we noticed that sub-type 3 (dengue hemorraghic fever) is the majority, it’s about 39 per cent of total cases, whereas sub-type 2 is 8.2 percent.”
Hinds noted that at present “a very small group of people” has both sub-types.
He said 57 per cent of patients are under the age of 20, which is something that is not uncommon based on records from previous outbreaks of the virus. He said taking that figure into consideration, the 40 years and under age group would make up 80 per cent of cases.
In terms of geographical location regarding cases, County Victoria (Penal, Siparia etc) accounts for 41.9 per cent of cases while County Caroni accounts for 14.4 per cent, St George East 13.6 per cent and St Patrick 12.3 per cent. Tobago accounts for 11.6 per cent.