Reports of a dengue outbreak dismissed as ‘fake news’

The Cabinet has joined the Ministry of Health in denouncing as ‘fake news’ reports
that there has been a dengue outbreak in Antigua and Barbuda, as has been
reported by a news outlet.
The Minister of Health, Sir Molwyn Joseph, has confirmed that Antigua and
Barbuda is Dengue-free as are all OECS countries.
Sir Molwyn reported that only one Caribbean country has recently declared that it
is dengue-affected. “The Cabinet continues to urge parents to have their children
vaccinated and to pay no attention to the anti-vaxers whose rhetoric, if believed,
can adversely affect the children who may be denied vaccination,” this week’s
Cabinet Notes indicated.
Meanwhile, the Health Minister has reminded that the country’s vaccination rate
for children exceeds 90%. According to the Cabinet Notes the prevalence of Non-
Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is a subject area that the Minister is currently
addressing at the United Nations. Minister Joseph is seeking funding to enlarge the
program which will result in lower NCDs in Antigua and Barbuda and the OECS.