The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is calling on Caribbean countries to step up mosquito control, strengthen disease monitoring and prepare healthcare facilities for possible increases in dengue and chikungunya infections. The warning comes after renewed transmission of both mosquito-borne diseases was reported in the region.
Both illnesses are spread by Aedes mosquitoes, the same vector that carries several other viral infections across the Caribbean. PAHO is urging national health authorities to act early, before case numbers climb, rather than waiting for outbreaks to take hold. The advisory points to the importance of acting on the mosquito population itself, since reducing breeding sites is one of the most direct ways to lower transmission risk in communities.
For the health system, the organisation is asking countries to ensure clinics and hospitals are stocked and staffed to manage a possible rise in patients. Clinical staff need to be able to recognise and treat both infections correctly, and to distinguish them from other febrile illnesses that circulate in the same season. Strengthened surveillance, meaning consistent reporting of suspected and confirmed cases, is seen as essential so that authorities can spot clusters quickly and direct vector control where it is needed most.
Residents are encouraged to take simple precautions at home. Removing standing water in containers, tyres, gutters and flower pots, where mosquitoes lay their eggs, is among the most effective steps a household can take. Using insect repellent and wearing clothing that covers the arms and legs also helps reduce bites, particularly during daylight hours when Aedes mosquitoes are most active. Anyone who develops fever, severe headache, joint pain, muscle pain or a rash should seek medical care promptly rather than self-treating, as early clinical assessment supports better management of both illnesses.
Dominica, as a member of the wider Caribbean health community, is expected to take note of the advisory as the regional mosquito-borne disease season develops. The regional message is that preparedness should be in place before transmission increases, not after. Members of the public who want the latest official guidance are advised to follow updates from the Ministry of Health and to contact their nearest health centre if symptoms appear.
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