Red Cross educates members on dengue |24 June 2016

Following the dengue outbreak in Seychelles, Red Cross Society volunteers and the community have been educated on this viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes.

This was done through a workshop held yesterday at the Red Cross Society Seychelles (RCSS) headquarters office, Providence.

The objective of the training is to build the capacity of the volunteers and community members with dengue prevention and detection knowledge so that they can thereafter disseminate the knowledge in their respective community.

The forum was led by RCSS first aid coordinator Sandra Sabury and the Region Disaster Response Team (RDRT) member Brian Kurtkowiak Dafreville.

Those taking part in the workshop underwent a pre-test at the beginning of the forum to test their knowledge of the virus, and a post-test was held after the deliberations to see how much they have learned.

They were briefed on the epidemiological situation of dengue in Seychelles, how it is transmitted, how to identify the symptoms, and the stages of the illness.

They also learned about the mosquitoes’ cycle, breeding sites and prevention measures which can be taken such as how to use a mosquito net.

Upon completion of this training, the volunteers and members will be able to share the information they have gathered in their community to help others.

Subsequent workshops will be held with teachers, child minders, and students.

Mr Dafreville said from the information that he has received, there are many cases on Mahé that action should be taken against.

“I’m here because I’m working on the vector control unit in Reunion Island and to bring some information and my experience to share with the volunteers for them to get knowledge about the dengue and vector management,” he said.

He said something unusual is actually happening in Seychelles that is there is high circulation of dengue so Seychellois should change their habit in relation to bite protection especially at the beginning and the end of the day as it is the moment where mosquitoes are more active.

“For example, if you are used to wearing short clothes, during this few upcoming months you should wear long trousers and closed shoes and if you are bitten don’t stay at home rather opt to quickly go to the nearest health centre because in dengue there is a lot of cases that are not very problematic at first but get worse in the future so when you are too ill it will be too late,” he said.

He said breeding sites producing or attracting more mosquitoes are small rubbish piles.

“This problem should be taken care of immediately because if we do not suppress these kinds of breeding sites we will not be able to manage the epidemic,” he said.

Ms Sabury said dengue has been declared a national problem and that is why the RCSS is supporting the Ministry of Health in the dengue prevention and detection campaign.

“RCSS searched for support internationally to fund a project which will enable us to assist and sensitise the community. The aim of the workshop is to train our volunteers and community members especially those from the most affected districts such as Anse Etoile, Anse Royale, English River and Pointe Larue,” she said.