KINGSTON, Jamaica, Tuesday September 16, 2014, CMC – The Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA) Monday called for an end to the politcising of the measures being taken to deal with the mosquito borne Chikungunya virus.
“The health of the people is the priority for all stakeholders. We must stand as one and play our part in the eradication of Chikungunya fever. The Jamaica Medical Doctors Association will remain at the forefront of the fight against these viral illnesses and in providing information to the public,” the JMDA said in a statement.
So far Jamaica has recorded 25 confirmed cases of the virus whose main symptoms are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.
The JMDA said that while it commended the health authorities here for dealing with the virus, the Ministry of Health needed to enhance its response to prevent a full-blown epidemic.
JMDA President Dr. Alfred Dawes said the similarity of the symptoms with dengue fever and influenza had caused confusion among the population.
“We accept the challenges in testing all reported cases of Chikungunya. Chikungunya, dengue and the flu are in the majority of cases self-limiting and respond to conservative treatment. As such testing all patients for Chikungunya is not practical and will not add much to the treatment plan in the majority of cases.”
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Dawes said the public education campaign must be intensified.
“Vector control is a major component of the fight against Chikunguyna as the aedes aegypti mosquito is endemic to Jamaica and transmits both Chikunguyna and dengue. Closer collaboration between the parish councils, Ministry of Health and Jamaicans from all walks of life in clearing drains and other breeding sites of the mosquito is needed,” he said.
Dr. Dawes said it was also important for the measures to deal with the virus are not politicised.
“We the people have a major role to play in the control of the aedes aegypti mosquito and the viral illnesses it transmits. Jamaicans united decades ago in a successful effort to rid the island of malaria and yellow fever. It is only by our actions that we can now defeat this threat and any other infectious diseases that may make their way to our shores.”
Last week, the main opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) insisted that there was a Chikungunya epidemic on the island and accused the authorities of seeking to hide the true extent of the outbreak.
JLP spokesman on health, Dr. Ken Baugh said that a series of assessment and on-the-ground visits in various communities have shown that the number given by the authorities was grossly under stated.
“Right now there are three parishes that are affected and there is no doubt that there is active transmission in large numbers,” Dr Baugh said.
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Jamaica doctors say politicising of treatment of Chikunguyna virus must stop
