Dengue surveillance
“There is currently enhanced surveillance for Dengue fever so cases must be reported immediately on suspicion.”
Dengue in Jamaica
Dengue is an acute viral infection with four related serotypes, DENV-1 to DENV-4, spread between people by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. It is endemic to Jamaica, and all four serotypes have caused outbreaks here. Recent outbreaks were in 2007, 2010, 2012/2013, 2016, 2018/2019 and 2023/2024, with increasing frequency, and cases usually rise from September to March.
Notification and investigation
Every suspected case of dengue fever, whatever its severity, is notified on a Class 1 Notification Form to the parish health department within 24 hours of suspicion. The parish forwards it to the Regional Health Authority and the National Surveillance Unit within 24 hours of receipt.
Severe cases and suspected dengue deaths are investigated within 24 hours of notification, with a report to the National Surveillance Unit within 72 hours. All cases of severe dengue are admitted to hospital.
Classifying cases and testing
Cases are classified by the PAHO/WHO dengue guidelines: dengue without warning signs, dengue with warning signs, and severe dengue. A suspected case with a positive IgM or NS1 result, or a clinical-epidemiological link, is probable; a case confirmed by RT-PCR is confirmed.
Blood samples, 5 to 7 ml in a red top tube, go on ice to the National Public Health Laboratory within 48 hours. RT-PCR is used for samples taken within 5 days of symptom onset, and IgM antibody testing after that.
Source: National Surveillance Manual