Dengue can be managed and treated appropriately although there is no cure, says Minister for Health and Medical Services, Rosy Akbar.

She made the statement in Parliament yesterday while responding to a question by Opposition MP, Anare Vadei.

Mr Vadei asked if Ms Akbar could provide a report on what they had done about the dengue outbreak.

Ms Akbar said people with dengue symptoms should visit their nearest health centre at the earliest possible opportunity.

“The key to effective dengue control lies with prevention.

“Control of the mosquito population and avoiding bites from mosquitoes that may be carrying the dengue virus are fundamental to the prevention of dengue fever infection among the population,” she said.

Ms Akbar said even countries with excellent mosquito control programmes still had high outbreaks of dengue.

Given the current weather conditions, she said, the ministry noticed a surge in dengue-like and influenza-like illnesses.

She said dengue prevention was a shared responsibility.

Ms Akbar said individuals, communities, private sector and Government agencies needed to work together to fight dengue.

Edited by Paula Tuvuki

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