Damion Mitchell, News Coordinator - Radio

The number of dengue cases is now reaching worrying levels in Manchester and the health department says it does not have enough equipment to adequately undertake its mosquito control programme at this time.

Health officials say up to Wednesday, there were 52 reported cases with 18 confirmed so far. Meanwhile, tests are under way to confirm the suspected cases.

The parish manager of health for Manchester, Yvonne Pitter, says 38 of the suspected dengue cases are in the north-eastern communities of Christiana and Spaldings.

"The number of cases is a little over the normal number without having an outbreak," she said. "And we are getting a lot of complaints of mosquitoes breeding in many, many areas."

Malfunctioning machine

Meanwhile, the parish manager says her department has been oiling pools of water and fogging communities in the parish.

However, there is an added challenge because the only machine in the parish that can fog a large area at one time is malfunctioning.

She said it is now being repaired; however, the Health Ministry is to provide two hand-held fogging machines to complement the two now being used in Manchester.

Could affect students

According to Pitter, two fogging teams have been established and priority is being given to the high-risk communities.

The People's National Party caretaker for North East Man-chester, Paul Lyn, is worried that if the situation is not brought under control quickly, a significant number of students who attend several schools in the constituency could become infected.

"There are more than 10,000 students in Christiana and Spaldings on a daily basis, there will be very, very serious impli-cations if we don't do anything about it," he said.

Controlling mosquito breeding

Dengue fever is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Keep your plants in damp soil instead of water.

Keep your flowerpots and saucers dry.

Avoid over-watering potted plants.

Properly dispose items around the house in which water may settle, such as bottles, tins and old tyres.

Symptoms of dengue fever

High fever

Rash

Severe headache

Pain behind the eyes

Muscle and joint pain

Nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite