Health Ministry Pushes Back on Dengue Claims, Says Surveillance Ongoing

Health Ministry Pushes Back on Dengue Claims, Says Surveillance Ongoing

Health officials say the Ministry of Health issued a public statement on dengue fever to prevent misinformation from spreading, even though there has been no significant increase in cases.

Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph said the government felt it was necessary to respond after questions and speculation began circulating publicly, warning that silence could create unnecessary alarm.

“It’s a danger leaving a vacuum in the society when a question is raised,” Joseph said. “If it wasn’t answered, it would open the door for speculation.”

Joseph said the ministry did not want the public to assume information was being withheld.

“They would say, ‘Oh, the government is not being transparent because there’s dengue out there and it doesn’t say anything,’” he said.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rhonda Sealy said the ministry’s response was part of a broader effort to manage misinformation, particularly on social media, where unverified claims can spread quickly.

“One of the main reasons why information has to be disseminated from the Ministry of Health is from management of infodemics,” Sealy said.

She said Antigua and Barbuda continues to monitor not only dengue fever, but other communicable diseases circulating in the region.

“We have concerns about multiple communicable diseases — not only dengue fever but also yellow fever,” Sealy said, noting that the country is also in the middle of the flu season.

Sealy said the country has strengthened its surveillance and testing capacity, with laboratory services now able to conduct influenza A and B testing, COVID-19 testing and dengue testing locally at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.

“We are conducting influenza A and B testing here in Antigua and Barbuda, COVID-19 testing, and dengue testing,” she said.

She added that vector control and prevention efforts are ongoing at the community level, alongside public education and cleanup activities.

“We have active programs within the community for vector control,” Sealy said. “Inspection is done in different communities, and there is an active cleanup program through the National Solid Waste Authority.”

Joseph said the ministry’s approach is to provide information early, even when case numbers remain low, to maintain public confidence and avoid unnecessary panic.

“There was no dengue,” he said. “But my fear was that if it wasn’t answered, it would open for speculation.”

Health officials said surveillance and public updates will continue as part of routine monitoring and regional cooperation with agencies such as the Caribbean Public Health Agency and the Pan American Health Organization.

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