THE Health Ministry wants to clarify the process for reporting confirmed cases and deaths related to dengue fever.

A statement on August 9 said when someone is admitted to the hospital with suspected dengue fever, a blood sample is collected for testing to confirm the presence of the virus.

In cases where a patient with suspected fever dies, a sample is also taken for confirmation.

All samples, whether from suspected cases or deaths, are sent to the Trinidad Public Health Laboratory (TPHL), which then takes them to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) laboratory for analysis.

The statement added, “The testing process can have a turnaround time of up to two weeks. Therefore, the ministry can only confirm dengue cases and deaths once a positive laboratory result is received from CARPHA.”

Warning signs and symptoms

The ministry urged the public to seek medical attention promptly if they display any warning signs of dengue fever.

These include a drop in body temperature, intense and continuous abdominal pain, bleeding from gums or nose, blood in vomit, urine or stool, persistent vomiting and dizziness.

The ministry reminds the public that the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito may spread dengue.

Symptoms appear within five-six days of being bitten and last for one-two weeks.

The symptoms include fever, diarrhoea, nausea/ vomiting, muscle and joint pains, pain behind the eyes, skin rash and headaches (sometimes severe).

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