Jamaica declares national emergency over outbreak of chikungunya virus

[Gert van der Hoek]

Jamaica has first suspected Chikungunya case

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

KINGSTON, Jamaica ? Jamaica may be facing its first case of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus.

The Ministry of Health announced in a release today that a suspected imported case of the chikungunya virus has been detected through its ?heightened surveillance system?.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kevin Harvey says the case is of an individual who travelled from an affected country and fell ill. Screening tests done at a private laboratory in Jamaica indicated that the individual may have the illness but a sample was taken and sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for confirmation.

The Ministry says that if this test is positive, it will confirm Jamaica?s first imported case of the chikungunya virus.

?This does not indicate local spread of the virus and we continue to monitor persons living in and around areas visited by the individual. We have heightened our vector control activities to reduce the possibility of local spread,? Dr Harvey explained.

More: Jamaica Observer

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Jamaica has first confirmed imported case of Chikungunya

Re: Jamaica has first confirmed imported case of Chikungunya

Chief Medical Officer Confirms Jamaica?s First Case of Chikungunya

July 17, 2014

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kevin Harvey is confirming that Jamaica now has its first imported case of chikungunya. This following the receipt of a report from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) this morning confirming that the sample sent on Tuesday is indeed positive for the chikungunya virus. Dr. Harvey had previously explained that the case is of an individual who travelled from an affected country and fell ill.

?The Ministry will continue with its heightened surveillance and will be taking steps to reduce the vector through its vector control programme. Individuals should ensure that they protect themselves from mosquito bites by using insect repellent containing DEET and covering their body as much as possible by wearing long sleeved clothing for example,? Dr. Harvey explained.

More: Jamaice Information Service Gov

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Jamaica has confirmed imported cases of Chikungunya

Re: Jamaica has confirmed imported cases of Chikungunya

Health Ministry confirms second case of chikungunya in Jamaica

Monday, July 28, 2014

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- The Ministry of Health has confirmed the second imported case of chikungunya disease in the island.

Director, Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services, Dr Marion Bullock Ducasse said that in both cases, the individuals travelled from an affected country where they were infected with the virus and became ill after returning to Jamaica. There has been no local transmission of chikungunya in Jamaica, the ministry said.

Jamaica Observer

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Jamaica has confirmed imported cases of Chikungunya

Re: Jamaica has confirmed imported cases of Chikungunya

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Two-more-cases-of-chikungunya-confirmed-in-Jamaica

Two more cases of chikungunya confirmed in Jamaica
Thursday, August 07, 2014 | 11:34 AM

KINGSTON, Jamaica ? The Ministry of Health has reported two more cases of the chikungunya disease in Jamaica.

This has brought to four the number of cases that health officials are now addressing.

The latest cases were from local transmission as the infected persons had no history of travel outside of Jamaica...

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

Four Additional Locally Transmitted Cases of Chikungunya Confirmed

By Ministry of Health Public Relations & Communication Unit

August 13, 2014



The Ministry of Health has confirmed another four locally transmitted cases of Chikungunya.
The positive results were received today from samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
The affected parishes include St. Thomas, St. Catherine, St. Ann and Kingston and St. Andrew.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed another four locally transmitted cases of Chikungunya. Director, Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services, Dr. Marion Bullock DuCasse said the positive results were received today from samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). This brings the total number of confirmed cases for Jamaica to eight ? six from local transmission and two imported.

?The Ministry will continue with its public education and intense vector control activities including fogging of the surrounding areas and communities in which the affected persons reside,? Dr. DuCasse said.

The affected parishes include St. Thomas, St. Catherine, St. Ann and Kingston and St. Andrew.

Dr. DuCasse explained that the Ministry of Health awaits confirmation from CARPHA of the suspected case at the University of the West Indies.

Jamaica Information Service

Jamaica?s UWI Mona Campus confirms case of Chikungunya

WEDNESDAY, 13 AUGUST 2014 23:07

KINGSTON, Jamaica--The University of the West Indies (UWI) has confirmed a case of the mosquito borne Chikungunya virus at one of its campuses and is urging students and administrative staff to take preventive measures to stop the spread of the disease.

The Daily Herald

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Chikungunya-cases-reach-eight_17349067

Chikungunya cases reach eight
Thursday, August 14, 2014

AN additional four cases of chikungunya were yesterday confirmed by the Ministry of Health, bringing the total number of cases on the island to eight. Of the confirmed cases, six are from local transmission and two are imported...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Protect-yourself-against-chikungunya-_17412280

Protect yourself against chikungunya!

BY ANIKA RICHARDS Observer staff reporter richardsai@jamaicaobserver.com

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

...Speaking reporters and editors at yesterday's Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange at the newspaper's offices on Beechwood Avenue in St Andrew, Dr Harvey said, "...Though in this phase we constantly monitor and count the number of cases of chikungunya, we fully expect that because the Aedes (aegypti) mosquito is here and here to stay, that chikungunya will be endemic in Jamaica.

"(This) means that it will circulate among our population, along with dengue, as we have had for the last number of decades, and that it potentially will spread right across the entire island," Dr Harvey added.

Since the first confirmed case on July 17, 16 additional cases have been confirmed as of August 20. Of this number, 14 were locally transmitted, two imported, while the other is said to be a cryptic case...

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

Malathion has a bad reputation. Scientists are stating that malathion (even at low levels) is a harmful chemical. Malathion is banned in Europe.

Chemicals used in fogging safe, says health minister

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

THE Ministry of Health says that all chemicals used in its vector control programmes are approved by international health bodies and as such are not harmful to people's health.

Responding to claims that the chemicals used in fogging are harmful, Dr Marion Bullock DuCasse, director of emergency, disaster management and special services in the ministry said that a number of chemicals are used worldwide, but insisted that those used here are all "safe".

"The chemicals that are used by the Ministry of Health and the one that we use most frequently, that persons know about, is malathion," she told reporters and editors during the Jamaica Observer's weekly Monday Exchange at the newspaper's Beechwood Avenue, St Andrew, offices. "Now, this is recognised on the safe list in terms of the international health organisation."

According to Bullock DuCasse, the fact that people have allergic and other reactions to the chemicals does not mean they are harmful.

With the increase in the number of confirmed chikungunya cases, which stood at 17 as at August 20, the Ministry of Health has intensified its vector control activities. This includes the fogging of surrounding areas and communities in St Thomas, St Catherine and Kingston and St Andrew, the parishes in which affected people reside.

More: Jamaica Observer

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140831/news/new3.html


Four additional cases of chikungunya confirmed
Published: Sunday | August 31, 2014

The Ministry of Health has confirmed four additional cases of chikun-gunya, bringing the total number of confirmed cases for the country to 21.

According to the health ministry, 18 of the cases are from local transmission, two were imported and one considered cryptic due to the uncertainty of whether the virus was contracted while travelling overseas or from a household contact...

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

St Thomas overrun by Chikungunya -- Seiveright

Sunday, September 07, 2014

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Caretaker for St Thomas Eastern, Delano Seiveright, says that there is a major outbreak of chikungunya in the constituency

Seiveright, Sunday called on the Ministry of Health to stop understating the impact of the disease and immediately lead a multi-stakeholder drive to limit the spread of the mosquito-borne virus.

He said that following walks and incessant complaints from constituents in and around Nuts River, Morant Bay, Lyssons, Airy Castle, Port Morant, Duckenfield, Hampton Court and Bath, hundreds of people are noted to be affected by the symptoms of chikungunya.

“The overwhelming majority of persons who go to the doctor are not tested, thus keeping the latest confirmed Ministry count artificially low. The doctors simply say that they (the affected person) appear to have chikungunya and direct them to take Panadol and get some rest,” Seiveright said in a release Sunday morning.

Seiveright argued that the Ministry of Health’s confirmed case-count of 24 is “a gross misrepresentation of the true extent of its impact on the Jamaica population and as such driving its continued spread, as many Jamaicans have and continue to be lulled into believing that it’s a minor issue”.

Jamaica Observer


Symptoms of Chikungunya similar to other diseases -- Ministry says

Sunday, September 07, 2014

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- The Ministry of Health Sunday evening sought to dispel concerns about an under reporting of chikungunya cases in the island saying that its symptoms are the same as other diseases currently circulating.

The ministry’s latest report placed the number of confirmed cases locally at 24.

However, residents of eastern St Thomas in particular have complained that scores of people have visited health centres with symptoms of the disease but have not been treated by doctors.

“The overwhelming majority of persons who go to the doctor are not tested, thus keeping the latest confirmed Ministry count artificially low. The doctors simply say that they (the affected person) appear to have chikungunya and direct them to take Panadol and get some rest,” Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Caretaker for the St Thomas eastern constituency Delano Seiveright said Sunday after a media tour of the area.

But according Director, Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services Dr Marilyn Bullock Ducasse the Ministry is aware that several people have indicated that they “believe they have chikungunya”.

“The case definition for chikungunya which is in keeping with that of the Pan American Health Organization is very sensitive so that we do not miss any cases. This means that it includes symptoms similar to other diseases such as influenza and dengue,” Dr Bullock Ducasse said in a statement late Sunday evening.

Jamaica Observer

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

ONLINE readers feel Health Ministry under-reporting ChikV cases

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

KINGSTON, Jamaica – An overwhelming 83 per cent of 2597 respondents to the OBSERVER ONLINE poll, felt that Chikungunya cases are being under reported by Jamaica’s Ministry of Health.

The poll results come after the opposing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) raised concerns that the Health Ministry is treating the spread of Chikungunya lightly. The JLP claims that the number of cases in the island is far greater than the 183 suspected, and 25 confirmed, being reported by the Ministry.

According to the Health Ministry, 24 of the suspected cases reviewed by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) tested negative for the Chikungunya virus while only 25 have tested positive with the balance still under review

In the meantime 41 suspected cases have surfaced in St Ann, and debate continues about the actual number of suspected cases in St Thomas. Other affected parishes include St Catherine and Kingston and St Andrew.

Jamaica Observer


Private clinic’s shocking ‘Chik-V’ reports

Wednesday, September 17, 2014 |

ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — A popular private health centre in Portmore is reporting a large number of suspected cases of the rapidly spreading chikungunya virus in sections of the municipality.

Nurses stationed at the centre's general practitioner section estimated that at least 200 patients with Chik-V symptoms, including severe joint pain, rashes and high fever, visited the institution in the last week alone.

The centre primarily serves the communities of Independence City, Waterford, Cumberland, West Cumberland, Cedar Grove and Gregory Park.

Portmore is heavily infested by mosquitoes as it is located largely on reclaimed swampland.

Jamaica Observer

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

Re: Jamaica confirmed imported and domestic cases of Chikungunya

Chik-V is here to stay, says health ministry official

Thursday, September 25, 2014

KINGSTON, Jamaica ? An official of the Ministry of Health has said that the rapidly spreading chikungunya virus is here to stay and that between 38 to 68 per cent of the population will become infected.

?The population has never been affected by Chik-V before so a majority of the population will be affected,? Dr Kevin Harvey, the acting permanent secretary in the health ministry, told the OBSERVER ONLINE on Thursday.

Harvey said that the virus has now become endemic to Jamaica and will remain with us. However, he said that the virus will not morph into a more potent strain and that you can only be infected once.

More: Jamaica Observer


Jamaica Health Minister admits to discrepancy in Chikungunya figures

SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

(Jamaica Gleaner) Minister of Health, Dr Fenton Ferguson is admitting that there appears to be some discrepancy between the number of suspected and reported Chikungunya cases on the island.

The country now has 352 suspected and 31 confirmed cases of Chikungunya.

However, there have been wide scale absences at schools and business places with persons complaining of Chikungunya like symptoms.

The government?s handling of the virus has been widely criticised, with several sectors accusing the Health Ministry of under-reporting the virus? prevalence.

However, according to Ferguson, the ministry is facing a difficulty as private medical doctors often do not report suspected cases.

More: Stabroek News

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Jamaica declares national emergency outbreak of chikungunya virus

Jamaica declares national emergency outbreak of chikungunya virus

computertranslation

Jamaica declares national emergency over outbreak of chikungunya virus

Ultima Hora YA World October 17, 2014

Prime Minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson-Miller, declared the country in a national emergency over the outbreak of chikungunya virus, the administration said Friday.

"I want to stress that we are in a national emergency and therefore assume the leadership role in mobilizing the nation and national resources," Simpson-Miller said.

More: La Nueva Radio YA

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Jamaica declares national emergency over outbreak of chikungunya virus

10-year-old dies from ChikV complications

Friday, October 17, 2014

KINGSTON, Jamaica ? A 10-year-old student of the Alpha Primary School in Kingston died Friday as a result of complications brought on by the chikungunya virus, the Education Ministry has confirmed.

A ministry release Friday afternoon said that Akaliah Anderson, who had reported to school for only one day (September 1, 2014), had revealed symptoms of the chikungunya virus.

It was reported that her condition had not improved and she was subsequently admitted to the hospital. She reportedly developed further complications including a swollen spleen and liver.

?This incident brings into sharp focus the need for school administrators, parents and the entire citizenry of Jamaica to begin the clean-up process in our communities ? home, school, workplaces ? in order to eliminate the spread of the ChikV caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes,? Education Minister Ronald Thwaites said.

More: Jamaica Observer

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Jamaica declares national emergency over outbreak of chikungunya virus

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/8-out-of-ten-says-Govt-s-handling-of-Chik-V-inadequate

8 out of ten says Govt?s handling of Chik-V inadequate
Friday, October 24, 2014 | 10:25 AM

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Eight out of every ten respondent in the OBSERVER ONLINE poll has given the government a failing grade on its handling of the chikungunya outbreak in Jamaica.

In the initial stages of the outbreak Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson described as political interference statements from the Opposition that there was an epidemic in the island.

Dr Ferguson insisted that there were only 24 confirmed cases in the island and dismissed rumblings that there were far more instances of chikungunya concentrated in St Thomas, St Catherine and sections of the Corporate Area...
***************
From the Cayman Islands...

Source: http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2014/10/24/Chikungunya-virus-rife-in-Jamaica/


Chikungunya virus 
rife in Jamaica
By: Samantha Bonham | sbonham@pinnaclemedialtd.com
24 October, 2014


Over the past several weeks, 16 cases of the 22 imported chikungunya cases in the Cayman Islands originated in Jamaica, where the mosquito-borne virus is rampant, according to residents.

According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency?s latest report, as of October 20 there were 59 confirmed cases of chikungunya in Jamaica, but medical professionals and residents say the prevalence of the virus is hugely under-reported...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Jamaica declares national emergency over outbreak of chikungunya virus

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Ferguson-admits-chikungunya-spreading-to-western-Jamaica

Ferguson admits chikungunya spreading to western Jamaica
Tuesday, November 04, 2014 | 9:39 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Minister of Health, Dr Fenton Ferguson, said Tuesday that Jamaica has not yet peaked in terms of the expected spread of the chikungunya epidemic.

Dr Ferguson told the House of Representatives that the parishes which had suffered the epidemic earliest have already peaked including St Thomas, are now seeing a downward trend.

?But, as you go further west you are going to be seeing more persons affected,? Ferguson said.

However, he explained that it was not the movement of mosquitoes which was causing the spread, but the movement of people...

 

[Ronan Kelly]

[h=1]12 Chik V related deaths reported[/h] Posted: December 20, 2014
At least 12 people are believed to have died as a result of complications due to the Chikungunya Virus.
A statement from the Health Ministry this afternoon says 5 of the 12 cases were confirmed to have had the Chik V fever.
In recent months several cases of Chikungunya related deaths have been reported, most of them involve children, who had underlying medical conditions.
...
http://www.iriefm.net/news/headline/12-chik-v-related-deaths-reported