Barbados confirms first locally transmitted case of Chikungunya virus

Chikungunya virus outbreaks have now been reported across most of the Caribbean and as far afield as “Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans” the CDC reports.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Wednesday July 23, 2014, CMC - The Barbados Ministry of Health has reported the first case of chikungunya in a Barbadian with no known travel history. The other six cases confirmed so far have all been imported into the island.

The Ministry stated Tuesday that in its effort to stem the spread, it is continuing surveillance and public education programmes, as well as fogging programmes, especially in areas with a high presence of adult mosquitoes.

It has also called on residents to play their part by doing everything they can to prevent mosquito breeding, including getting rid of debris and stagnant water on their premises, especially during the rainy season.

*Does not include countries or territories where only imported cases have been documented. Countries and territories in the Caribbean where chikungunya cases have been reported: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Turks and Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands, and Venezuela. (Credit: cdc.gov)

The Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) states, “Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. It can cause high fever, joint and muscle pains and headaches.

Chikungunya does not often result in death, but the joint pain may last for months or years and may become a cause of chronic pain and disability.

PAHO reports that as of July 18, in 21 non-Latin Caribbean territories, that include the 15 CARICOM member states, there were 579,982 confirmed cases of the virus.

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Barbados confirms first locally transmitted case of Chikungunya virus

Jamaica confirms 1st case of Chikungunya

It is now confirmed: Jamaica has its first imported case of the chikungunya disease. Dr. Kevin Harvey, the country’s Chief Medical Officer, reported the confirmation of diagnosis on Thursday morning.

The announcement followed receipt of a report from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), 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 said.There is no specific treatment for the chikungunya virus, nor is there a vaccine.  Dr. Harvey is therefore urging everyone to not only protect themselves from mosquito bites, but also reduce the possibility of mosquito breeding.“The Aedes aegypti is a day biting mosquito that will almost always be found in and around areas where people live, work and play. The mosquito breeds in water that settles around homes, schools, churches, workplaces and playgrounds. Persons are urged to search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites in and around their homes, workplaces and communities by getting rid of old tyres and containers in which water can settle, punching holes in tins before disposing, and covering large drums, barrels and tanks holding water,” he urged.Symptoms of Chikungunya fever include high fever, headache, muscle pain, joint pain mainly in the limbs and large joints and a rash. Although it does not often result in death, joint pains and stiffness can last for months and even years. It may become a source of chronic pain and disability resulting in the individual being unable to attend work or school.Infants and the elderly are at greater risk for more severe disease. There are some diseases that may increase the risk for severe disease such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.The Ministry of Health is advising anyone who experiences any of the symptoms of chikungunya to visit a doctor or the nearest health centre immediately.As of July 14, 2014, twenty eight (28) countries and territories in the Caribbean and Latin American Region have reported cases of chikungunya with a total of 5,227 confirmed.

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Jamaica confirms 1st case of Chikungunya

Nevis confirms first two cases of Chikungunya disease

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis, Monday July 7, 2014 (NIA) – The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) informed the Ministry of Health, Nevis, of two laboratory confirmed cases of Chikungunya fever on the island. These are the first laboratory confirmed cases of Chikungunya fever for the island of Nevis. Both patients have recovered fully.

Chikungunya fever is a viral disease which is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes infected with the virus. Both of these mosquitoes are present in St. Kitts and Nevis and are the same vectors which spread dengue fever from human to human.

Chikungunya fever affects all age groups and both genders. The disease is characterized by the abrupt onset of high fever frequently accompanied by severe joint pains 3 – 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Infected persons may also complain of one or more of the following: back pain, headache, muscle pain, rash, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. These symptoms typically last 3 -10 days. Deaths from Chickungunya fever are rare.

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There is no known cure for the disease and treatment is directed at relieving the symptoms. Paracetamol may be used to relieve fever and Ibuprofen to relieve joint pains. Aspirin should be avoided especially in children. Persons infected are also advised to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Recovery from an infection will confer lifelong immunity.

Prevention efforts are the same as those for dengue fever. The Ministry of Health strongly urges members of the public to destroy mosquito breeding sites in and around households such as pots, pans, tyres, coconut shells, flower vases, water storage containers that are improperly covered and any other receptacle that can hold standing water for more than several days. We are now in the rainy season which provides excellent conditions for mosquito breeding so enhanced vigilance is necessary.

The Environmental Health Department will continue to carry out mosquito reduction plans. Vector Control and Environmental Health Officers will continue visiting premises to identify and destroy mosquito breeding sites and to educate households. However, the cooperation of residents is absolutely essential for the success of prevention activities.

Aedes mosquitoes live in and around households and bite mainly during the daytime. Persons are encouraged to apply topical mosquito repellent containing DEET, IR3535 or icaridin at all times and also to sleep under mosquito nets during the day and night for additional protection.

Persons who are potentially infected are advised to rest beneath mosquito nets to avoid mosquito bites and spread of the infection to others. For further information on Chikungunya please contact your nearest health centre.

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Nevis confirms first two cases of Chikungunya disease

Statin confirms economic growth

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) has revealed that the economy expanded by 1.6% in the first quarter of this year, confirming previous estimates by the Planning Institute of  Jamaica.    
This  convergence of  the estimate and the actual data are rare.    
Statin said the growth was led by expansion in agriculture, mining and quarrying, as well as construction. On the other hand, manufacturing recorded a decline.  

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Statin confirms economic growth

Bunting confirms he"s stepping down as PNP gen sec

Garfield Myers

Monday, February 03, 2014    

MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Peter Bunting yesterday confirmed that he will be stepping aside as general secretary of the ruling People’s National Party (PNP) as soon as his replacement his chosen.

It’s a process he expects to be completed “no later than March”.

Bunting made the announcement at an “expanded” meeting of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) at the Manchester High School in Mandeville yesterday, putting an end to recent speculation.

Bunting reminded the meeting, which included party leader and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller that he had said in 2012 that he would not lead the party’s organisational structure into a next general election.

With that in mind, he later told the Jamaica Observer that he felt the time had come for a new general secretary “to start the preparation and groundwork for selecting candidates and to put the machinery in place for the next local government election, due next year, and general election due by 2017″.

Bunting, who is minister of national security and member of parliament for Central Manchester, said that he expects his replacement to be chosen “no later than the next scheduled NEC meeting” in March.

“Six years (as general secretary) is a long time,” said Bunting, by way of emphasising his belief that his decision to walk had been made at the right time.

He expressed satisfaction with his record as general secretary. He noted that the recommendations made by a Brian Meeks-led committee for “modernising the party’s secretariat and the rebuilding of unity within the party” among a number of measures, had been “accomplished”.

“I can pass on the baton satisfied that I have moved the process forward,” Bunting told the Observer.

The “litmus test”, he argued, were “historic victories in the 2011 parliamentary elections and 2012 local government elections”. The December 2011 parliamentary victory was not only a “landslide but the first time an opposition party was returning to government after one term in Opposition,” Bunting recalled.

Further, he said, the local government victory “was perhaps the most extensive and comprehensive” with every local authority falling under the control of the PNP.

He dismissed recent speculation in some quarters that he may be contemplating moving from Central Manchester to a perceived

safer seat.

“Absolutely not! I have no intention of moving from Central Manchester,” said Bunting. “I expect now to spend more time (within the constituency) and to continue to consolidate…,” he said.

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Bunting confirms he"s stepping down as PNP gen sec

Gov"t confirms no pay increase granted to parliamentarians, civil servants

THE Government confirmed in the Senate on Friday that no pay increase had been granted to parliamentarians or civil servants since 2009.

“Consistent with the strategy employed under the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP), the government has not granted any wage increase to any public sector worker since April, 2009,” said Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, A J Nicholson.He was responding to a number of questions tabled in June by opposition senator, Robert Montague, suggesting that the government had given itself, its advisors and consultants, pay increases since January 2012.As expected, Senator Nicholson denied that any pay increase had been received by either the Government, or its staff and advisors. However, he confirmed that three tranches in outstanding retroactive payments from a seven per cent pay increase owed to the public sector since 2009/10 were paid between May, 2012 and May 2013. Two more tranches are due in October 2013 and May 2014 to complete the payments.Following the Government’s agreement with public sector trade unions on a two-year contract, 2008/9-2009/10, which included provisions for a 15 per cent pay rise in the first year and a seven per cent increase in the second year, the second year’s increase was not paid following an agreement with the IMF. However, the Government eventually agreed to implement the increase in 2011, and pay the retroactive portions in five tranches, to end in May 2014.“This is the agreement we are still honouring,” Nicholson told the Senate on Friday.In response to other questions raised by Montague, he explained that 24 groups, representing 85 per cent of the public sector, have already signed on to the Heads of Agreement, which include a wage restraint provision for the period 2012/13 to 2015/16.However, he admitted that there are nine groups which have not agreed- five police groups; the Nurses Association of Jamaica; the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association; the Association of Government Medical Consultants; and the Academic Staff Association of the University of Technology. The Government currently has an outstanding wage dispute with the Jamaica Air Traffic Controllers Association, but this was not included in the list.Senator Nicholson admitted that the wage freeze is applicable to all public sector workers, including those who have not yet signed.Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and Planning Horace Dalley told the House recently that an offer would be made soon to the police groups.

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Gov"t confirms no pay increase granted to parliamentarians, civil servants