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34 deaths due to pneumonia and other illnesses in Clarendon in March 2011

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  • 34 deaths due to pneumonia and other illnesses in Clarendon in March 2011

    Obviously, this report is a bit unclear, and I can't find any confirmation on the details. Perhaps the 34 is the total number of deaths, two of which are due to flu and pneumonia?



    News
    34 pneumonia-related deaths in Clarendon
    2011-04-14 18:21:17 | (0 Comments)



    Thirty four persons are reported to have died from pneumonia and other flu-related illnesses in Clarendon during the month of March.

    This was disclosed by Dr. Kimberly Scarlett- Campbell, Medical Officer of Health for the parish, at today’s monthly meeting of the Clarendon Parish Council.

    Dr. Scarlett- Campbell says the deaths represent a drastic spike and is a cause for concern.

    She says preliminary reports have indicated that some of deaths were HIV related and due to pneumonia and other flu viruses.

    According to her, only two flu related deaths were recorded
    in Clarendon last March.

    The Clarendon Medical Officer says the health department is undertaking an investigation to determine the cause of the increase in pneumonia and other flu related deaths in the parish.

    Dr. Scarlett- Campbell says she has also requested an audit from the head of the May Pen Hospital to get a better understanding of the problem so that the necessary actions can be taken.

  • #2
    Re: 34 deaths due to pneumonia and other illnesses in Clarendon in March 2011

    Not much new, but a different source.



    Pnuemonia deaths in Clarendon being investigated
    2011-04-16 17:59:29 | (0 Comments)


    The Ministry of Health has begun an investigation to determine the cause of the increase in pneumonia and other flu related deaths in Clarendon.

    This was disclosed by National Epidemiologist Dr. Michelle Roofe who spoke with the Gleaner Power 106 news center today.

    On Thursday of this week it was reported that thirty four persons died from pneumonia and other flu-related illnesses in Clarendon during the month of March.

    The information was presented by the Medical Officer of Health for the parish, Dr Kimberly Scarlett- Campbell, while addressing the monthly meeting of the Clarendon Parish Council .

    Dr Scarlett- Campbell said the deaths represent a drastic spike and is cause for concern.

    She says preliminary reports have indicated that some of deaths were HIV related and due to pneumonia and other flu viruses.

    According to her, only two flu related deaths were recorded in Clarendon last March.

    But when contacted, today, Dr Roofe would not comment on the status of the investigation, and only offered to say that the matter was being investigated.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: 34 deaths due to pneumonia and other illnesses in Clarendon in March 2011

      With a population of about 215,000, it is difficult to determine how far out of the ordinary 34 pneumonia deaths might be (especially if other illnesses such as HIV are being included in the count). One might think that if it were significantly out of the ordinary, we would have been getting reports as it occurred, not in a monthly summary.



      Geography and population
      Clarendon ParishCovering an area of 1,196 km², Clarendon ranks as Jamaica's third largest parish. The parish is predominantly a wide plain, marked by several rivers, including the Rio Minho River, which runs the length of the parish. Toward the northern end of the parish lies the Mocho Mountain, (200 ft), and Bull Head Mountain range (2800 ft), which is considered to be the geographical centre of the island. The Vere plain is another significant geographical feature.

      Portland Point, the southernmost point of Jamaica, is on a peninsula in Clarendon which also hosts Portland Point Lighthouse. On the same peninsula are Jackson Bay beach, the flood-prone community of Portland Cottage, and two different locations both called Rocky Point: a residential community on the western side of the peninsula, and a port used primarily for the export of alumina on the eastern side of the peninsula.

      With a population at an estimated 215,515,[citation needed] Clarendon is one of the most populous parishes in the island. May Pen, the capital, has a population estimated at around 60,000.[citation needed]

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: 34 deaths due to pneumonia and other illnesses in Clarendon in March 2011

        OK. 34 ARI fatalities in an area that had two last year, even with pre-existing conditions such as HIV is likely abnormal, assuming nothing has changed in reporting methods. By contrast, this article claims 13 deaths due to accident, and 50 deaths total due to all causes in what appears to be the main hospital in the area.

        MAY PEN, Clarendon:THE MINISTRY of Health has begun an investigation to determine the cause of the increase in pneumonia and other flu-related deaths in Clarendon.It was revealed during the monthly meeting...


        THE MINISTRY of Health has begun an investigation to determine the cause of the increase in pneumonia and other flu-related deaths in Clarendon.

        It was revealed during the monthly meeting of the Clarendon Parish Council last Thursday that 34 persons died from pneumonia and other flu-related illnesses in the parish during March. This is in comparison to two flu-related deaths for the same period last year. Dr Kimberly Scarlett-Campbell, medical officer of health for Clarendon noted that this drastic increase was a cause for concern.

        However, she said preliminary reports have shown that some of these deaths were HIV-related.

        Scarlett-Campbell said in addition to the ongoing investigations, she has also requested an audit from the head of the hospital in order for her to have a better understanding of the matter, and effective measures may be able to be put in place to mitigate the problem.

        Meanwhile, Scarlett-Campbell said 50 persons died after being admitted at May Pen hospital. She also noted that 13 persons died in the accident and emergency unit during March.

        Mayor of May Pen Milton Brown, in responding to the report of the number of deaths recorded at the facility, said he hoped the audit that was launched by the Ministry of Health into the operations at the facility may shed some light on this issue.

        According to the health ministry, the audit will include areas such as waiting time for services, including pharmacy and accident and emergency; and availability of drugs and contraceptives, among others. The report was expected to be submitted to the ministry last Thursday.

        rural@gleanerjm.com

        Comment

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