Confirmed chikungunya cases in Barbados now at 40, Cayman records 11 new cases
From Caribbean News Now
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — The number of confirmed cases of chikungunya in Barbados now stands at 40, while in the Cayman Islands, 11 of 13 results of samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing during September 16-24, 2014, have come back positive for the chikungunya virus, officials learned on Wednesday evening
And, according to the Barbados Ministry of Health, as of September 26, there were also an additional 130 cases under investigation.
The latest update revealed that while there have been reports of increases in the number of patients in Barbados seeking medical attention with symptoms, no deaths have been associated with the virus.
The first case of chikungunya recorded in Barbados was on June 3, in a visitor who had travelled from another Caribbean country.
Public health officials are continuing to undertake protective measures to address the situation, including fogging, enhanced surveillance at ports of entry, collection and analysis of data from public healthcare facilities, health education, and other source reduction activities.
Of the 11 new cases in the Cayman Islands, “Eight had travel history to other Caribbean countries prior to becoming ill. Six had travelled to Jamaica, one to St Lucia and the other to Guyana, while three had no travel history, which means those were cases of local transmission” said Dr Kiran Kumar, medical officer of health.
Chikungunya, a virus similar to dengue, is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Symptoms include sudden high fever, headache, rash, nausea, muscle pain, stiffness and severe joint pain, especially in the wrists, knuckles or ankles.
Treatment is symptomatic and may include rest, fluids and medication for fever and pain. Aspirin should be avoided.
As at 29 September, 12,720 confirmed/probable cases of chikungunya have been reported from 22 of the 24 CARPHA member states and 11 other Caribbean countries/territories. Total suspected cases are 718,337
For more on this story go to: http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/headline-Confirmed-chikungunya-cases-in-Barbados-now-at-40,-Cayman-records-11-new-cases-23052.html
See related iNews Cayman story published October 2 2014 “11 NEW CASES OF CHIKUNGUNYA CONFIRMED IN CAYMAN ISLANDS” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/11-new-cases-of-chikungunya-confirmed-in-cayman-islands/
Sirs:|
It Is possible to predict the course of chikungunya.
The main problem currently is that there is no system in place that both gathers mosquito related data (infected or suspected cases, entomological reports, larvae detection, etc) and crunches that data to generate a prediction — in real time, not a week later.
Even less than 100% accurate prediction is — like weather forecasts — still better than no prediction at all. And if you combine all this with forecasts of rainfall, wind direction and velocity, etc. you can do even better, predicting the direction of the spread of the epidemic, allowing you to focus health workers and spraying in those neighborhoods of greatest risk.
This capability is now available. Chikungunya has one species of mosquito in common with dengue, so you can start by using the prediction models for aedes aegyptii spread… and improve the forecasts for chikungunya as you go along by adding the other mosquito (albopictus).
Barbados needs to implement a system such as this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghzg8Qgp3yw
Please keep up your reporting on this serious issue.
Thanks.
The united kingdoms top security service Mİ 6 has been indicted by six courts in eastern china and prosecuted by a court in barbados for involvement in an alleged scandal involving the supply of chinese CEO’S and Executives in what has been called a ridicule by the new york times in a statement posted.” Child prostitution cannot be allowed and was not counted as the charge for the UK’S top security service but we cannot believe the chinese media ”. Cathy Pacific Airline has also been indicted in a trial used as a means of transportation in the alleged scandal.