PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar has been recently diagnosed with Dengue fever (Classical type). It is the less severe strain.
A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday said the “Prime Minister is now resting comfortably and would like to assure citizens that she is receiving medical care and supervision”.
The Prime Minister in her statement on the situation remarked,
“While I was consulting with the Minister of Health on how to enhance and intensify the education drive Government has embarked on to sensitise the population on dengue fever, I became a victim of it myself.
“This indicates that no one is immune from this dangerous disease, and it reinforces that the entire population MUST be extremely vigilant and take the necessary precautions to prevent contracting dengue, especially with children.
“Let me also emphasise the need to immediately seek professional medical attention if you have any symptoms of dengue (which include fever, body pains and headaches) since treating the disease as an ordinary flu can cause more medical problems.
“On a personal note, I have been advised that I can work from my home office while I continue to receive medical supervision.
“I will continue to run the affairs of State unless otherwise advised by my doctors that it is not practical so to do.
“I wish to inform the population that despite my illness I am following all medical instructions so as to ensure that I will soon be back on my feet and fully functioning.”
At this time, the Ministry of Health has undertaken an aggressive aedes aegypti mosquito eradication programme across Trinidad and Tobago.
Further, the Ministries of Health, Communications, Local Government and Education have embarked on a multi-media education and sensitisation programme across Trinidad and Tobago to combat the dengue outbreak on several fronts.
