Remarks from Hon. Osbourne Bodden, JP Minister of Health, Sports, Youth and Culture

Chikungunya Virus and Ebola Press Conference 22 August 2014

Good Morning to everyone and thank you for coming to this important press briefing. Currently the Caribbean is facing the chikungunya epidemic and we are having our share of it.

In addition there is an ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa involving three countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

It is unlikely that Ebola will pose a threat to the Cayman Islands. We do not have many travelers to and from the part of the world in which the outbreak is occurring, but things could change and for that reason we should not be complacent.

The Medical Officer of Health has issued an advisory on Ebola, on 1 August 2014 and a multi-sectorial meeting with staff from, Ministries of Health and Home Affairs, Health Services Authority, Mosquito Research and Control Unit, Department of Environmental Health, Customs, Department of Tourism, the Airports Authority, Hazard Management Cayman Islands, Immigration Department and Government Information Services was held on August 13, 2014 to ensure that proper health measures are in place.

The meeting was informed that the Caribbean is a low risk status. With the WHO declaring the outbreak in the three countries Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone as a public health event of international concern, we need to be alert. As the transmission is through blood and body fluids, prevention is by protecting against such exposures and maintaining personal hygiene through sanitization and hand washing.

Although the risk is low and the to and fro travel to West Africa is minimal, it is agreed that the border control staff will liaise with the Public Health Department and the Emergency Department if they observe any passenger appearing ill, if there is travel history to the West African region within the past 21 days. I am pleased to note that Cayman Islands Hospital is capable of handling any such cases and there will be assistance through PAHO/WHO if need arises.

The Airport Authority is organizing a meeting of the representatives of the border control agencies, Tourism Department and Public Health to review and update the protocol for screening of travelers from West Africa. It is noted that the WHO does not recommend any ban on international travel.

Now turning to chikungunya. There are about 31 Caribbean countries or territories experiencing chikungunya outbreaks. Since the first confirmed case of chikungunya in the Cayman Islands on 30 June 2014, government officials have been working hard to contain the threat posed by this virus within our shores.

As of yesterday, August 21st, there were a total of five confirmed cases of chikungunya in the Cayman Islands, of which only one was locally acquired and I am pleased to note that there have been no new cases reported since mid-July. All this is because of the vigilance of the Public Health team, the measures of the Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU), and steps taken by the public.

To ensure the continued containment chikungunya, I urge fellow residents to remove anything that might hold standing water from around their properties, as well as wearing protective clothing and mosquito repellent.

Public Health remains committed to keeping the public informed and will continue to issue weekly updates on chikungunya until the outbreak is determined to be at an end.

I also want to assure you that our health care system is ready and able to treat anyone who should fall ill with either of these diseases.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Caribbean Public Health Agency for expediting testing for chikungunya, as well as to PAHO for their technical support and commitment.

Thanks to the Public Health Department and MRCU for their surveillance and guidance on dealing with the threat of chikungunya. Weekly updates will continue to be provided as we aim to keep the situation transparent and the public informed.

The Health Ministry will continue to offer its full support to all stakeholders and agencies to ensure the early detection and management of any imported chikungunya cases, in order to curtail local transmission and also for any precautions and control measures against Ebola Viral Disease.