H1N1 influenza cases reported in Barbados and St. Vincent
CARPHA seeks to ease fears over outbreak of H1N1 virus in the Caribbean
From Caribbean360
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Monday September 30, 2013, CMC – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has sought to quell fears of an outbreak of the deadly H1N1 influenza virus in the region, noting that the Caribbean, like other regions in the Americas, experiences seasonal influenza activity.
In a statement, CARPHA said that improved health monitoring by the ministries of health “is providing more timely and detailed information on viruses currently circulating in the region.
“This has resulted in the recent confirmation by the Caribbean Public Health Agency of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus from samples received from St Vincent,” the statement said, adding the identification of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus from persons seen at health care facilities in St. Vincent is “as a result of the increased investment by Ministries of Health, CARPHA and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in laboratory services and surveillance”.
Over the weekend, Barbados health authorities denied there is an “outbreak or suspicion of outbreaks” of Avian Influenza, commonly known, as Bird Flu on the island.
Senior Veterinary Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Mark Trotman, said that recent media reports had made reference to H1N1 and that the error had caused problems for the island.
“There have been some reports in the media about (an) outbreak of influenza H1N1 in St. Vincent and an influenza-like illness in Barbados, and it has been erroneously referred to as Bird Flu, which has created a number of challenges for us in the Veterinary Services Department with respect to international trade issues and international opinion about the status of the health of the animals and the birds in Barbados,” he said.
Trotman said that one of the strongest animal surveillance programmes on the island was that of Avian Influenza and that if a case had been detected it would have been reported immediately to the World Organization for Animal Health.
CARPHA said that in the Caribbean, the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus is the most commonly identified influenza virus circulating in the region and this is not an unexpected finding.
“There have been no deaths related to this incident and all patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital. In addition, ministries of health in the region are aware of the situation and are closely monitoring their health facilities.”
CARPHA and PAHO said they were taking the opportunity to advise members of the public to practice respiratory hygiene measures in order to reduce the risk of transmission of influenza and other respiratory viruses.
“You should cover your mouth with a tissue or handkerchief, or use your elbow, if sneezing or coughing. You should safely dispose of used tissues; wash your hands with soap and water after coughing and sneezing and before and after meal preparation, eating and use of the toilets. Alternatively, you may use an alcohol based handsanitizer,” the statement added.
It said that influenza is a viral infection that affects mainly the nose, throat, bronchi and, occasionally, lungs and that it usually lasts for about a week, and is characterized by the sudden onset of high fever, aching muscles, headache and severe malaise, non-productive cough, sore throat and rhinitis.
The virus is transmitted easily from person to person via droplets and small particles produced when infected people cough or sneeze. Influenza tends to spread rapidly in seasonal epidemics,” the statement added.
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Barbados confirms four cases including one death from H1N1 influenza
From Caribbean360
A statement from the Ministry of Health said that results from the 10 samples sent to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) last week had confirmed the cases.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Tuesday October 1, 2013, CMC – Barbados has confirmed four cases of influenza A H1N1 including one death.
A statement from the Ministry of Health said that results from the 10 samples sent to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) last week had confirmed the cases. It said the other six samples were negative for the H1N1 virus.
Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Elizabeth Ferdinand said Barbados has an adequate supply of Tamiflu which is recommended for persons in high risk groups, and those who need hospitalisation.
In addition, the Ministry of Health is expecting a shipment of the seasonal influenza vaccine which contains the H1N1 virus and will be offered to frontline workers in the public sector and persons in high risk groups.
Dr. Ferdinand reiterated that most persons who suffer from influenza will experience only mild illness and will recover in three to five days without the need for medical attention.
In light of the outbreak, the senior health official said that the Ministry of Health would be intensifying its public awareness efforts through various media as a way of sensitising the public about the do’s and don’ts in relation to Influenza A H1N1.
Dr. Ferdinand is encouraging members of the public to cooperate with public health guidelines as was done during the 2009 Influenza Pandemic.
“Your cooperation and support helped us to effectively respond at that time. The same level of response will help us to manage this current challenge,” she said, adding that the best way to reduce transmission of the virus is by practising good respiratory hygiene measures.
“Keep disposable tissue handy, so that you can cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, or use your elbow. Used tissue should be discarded in a covered garbage can or placed in a plastic bag. Frequent and proper hand washing is essential and we should avoid touching our eyes, nose or mouth as germs can enter our body this way.”
She advised those persons who may be exhibiting flu-like symptoms, such as fever, coughing and sore throat, to avoid being out in public and to stay away from work or school until fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
Dr. Ferdinand said if the symptoms persist and worsen, these persons should go to their doctor or polyclinic.
The acting CMO stressed that sick children “must not be sent to day care”, adding that where higher risk categories are concerned – pregnant persons, children under five years of age, persons over 65 years of age, and those with chronic medical conditions, including asthma and other lung conditions, sickle cell anaemia, heart disease, diabetes, and any other condition which may weaken the immune system –should seek medical attention at the onset of the symptoms.
Influenza A H1N1 is caused by a virus that was first brought to the attention of the global community in 2009. The Caribbean Public Health Agency recently reported that the H1N1 virus is the most commonly identified influenza virus circulating in the Caribbean region.
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St Vincent confirms six cases of H1N1 but no need to panic says PM
PHOTO: Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said reports from the Ministry of Health show that of 51 cases of the suspected illness, only six cases have been confirmed as H1N1, commonly called swine flu.
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, Tuesday October 1, 2013, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has sought to assure nationals that there is no reason to panic as six cases of swine flu have been confirmed in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
“I have been asked to assure everyone that matters are under control. We have the antiviral treatment in the country, 3,000 tablets and we can source additional stock from PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) and that stock is available to us to get very quickly,” said Gonsalves, who is acting Minister of Health.
“Not everyone will meet the criteria of treatment but it depends on the clinical criteria of the physician in relation to this particular matter,” Gonsalves said.
He said reports from the Ministry of Health show that of 51 cases of the suspected illness, only six cases have been confirmed as H1N1, commonly called swine flu.
Gonsalves said an initial 11 swabs were sent to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CAPHA) last month and the results received confirmed six chases of H1N1.
He said St. Vincent and the Grenadines had informed PAHO of the results and it responded on September 25.
“There was a routine surveillance meeting on September 27 and it highlighted a need to develop and implement a national public relations strategy to raise public awareness,” Gonsalves said, adding “there is a document which they have sent to me as the acting minister, outlining what they are doing as from today so that people don’t have to panic about this matter”.
“Over the weekend, there were only two suspected cases reported, hence as of today, as I speak to you, there were a total of 51 cases reported but only six were confirmed as H1N1. Since then, more samples have been taken and sent and we are awaiting the results.”
Gonsalves urged people to practice proper hygiene, including covering the mouth and nose with a kerchief or napkin when sneezing, proper disposals of spent kerchiefs of napkins, and frequent washing of hands with soap and running water
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