Cayman Islands Chikungunya Update as of 3 November 2014

The total number of confirmed chikungunya cases in the Cayman Islands has reached 30 to date. Meanwhile the number of locally transmitted cases is now six.

The distribution of confirmed cases has been: George Town – 11; Cayman Brac – four; West Bay – seven; Bodden Town – five, Little Cayman – two and North Side – one. 24 have reported travel history to countries experiencing outbreaks, (two to the Dominican Republic, three to Guyana, 18 to Jamaica and one to St Lucia).

Of the 30 results awaited from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), 5 were received.   Four of these tested negative and one positive for chikungunya. The patient who tested positive is a resident of George Town, who had no travel history indicating another local acquired case; with an onset date of 21 October 2014. The date of onset of the previous locally transmitted case was 11 October 2014.

“The Public Health Department in collaboration with other agencies such as MRCU, continue surveillance efforts for the identification of locally acquired cases. With only one positive case of local transmission since the week beginning 27 October to date, the containment measures are proving to be effective so far,” said Dr. Samuel Williams, Acting Medical Officer of Health.

Officials sent 14 chikungunya cases for testing during the week 28 October to 3 November 2014 based on symptoms. Three had travelled to Jamaica, where a chikungunya outbreak is reportedly occurring, one reported travel to Honduras and 10 reported no travel history.

The total number of suspected cases of chikungunya reported since 25 June 2014 is 152.

The total number of results received thus far is 104. 30 have come back positive, 71 negative and three inconclusive. Results from 11 blood samples from 28 October to 3 November and 25 previous samples are awaited.

Chikungunya causes fever, severe joint pain, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. Officials urge anyone who may be experiencing these symptoms to immediately see a healthcare provider. They also remind the public to use mosquito repellent with DEET on the skin, and wear long sleeve pants and shirts when outside during times that mosquitoes bite, whether in the Cayman Islands or on travels.

As at 31 October 2014, 17,456 probable cases of chikungunya have been reported from 23 of the 24 CARPHA Member States and 11 other Caribbean countries/territories. The total number of suspected cases is 741,645.

Further information can be obtained through www.hsa.ky. Regional updates can be accessed by visiting the CARPHA website on http://carpha.org/What-We-Do/Public-Health-Activities/Chikungunya. In addition United States updates are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/geo/united-states.html

IMAGE: www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

Related story:

Ferguson admits chikungunya spreading to western Jamaica

By Balford Henry From Jamaica Observer

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.

“A person who is infected in St Thomas, leaves and goes to Montego Bay, is bitten by the aedes aegypti mosquito in Montego Bay and, after eight days, can infect someone there. So we will continue to get the spread, but we have to continue to manage the source reduction while we kill the adult mosquitoes,” he said.

He added that, in terms of the aerial spraying, there was still concern about it, as it relates to people with respiratory illnesses and bee keepers who have suffered losses. He said that discussions were still taking place.

“In fact, I have been approached by private sector persons who want to give support. (But) I am still awaiting the best advice, before making such decision. So it is not a closed thing,” he stated.

Ferguson admitted that his ministry has been pursuing the use of using genetically modified mosquitoes to get rid of the virus carrying vectors. He said that it is something the ministry has been pursuing with Jamaica’s high commission in London and is looking at that possibility.

He said that his Ministry was also moving to strengthen its public relations department, as well as cooperating with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the medical doctors associations to assist with public education.

For more on this story go to: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Ferguson-admits-chikungunya-spreading-to-western-Jamaica