PLAGUES & PESTILENCES: Health Ministry Issues Warning As Jamaica Records Fourth Swine Flu-Related Death - The Number Of Confirmed Cases Now Up To 28!

March 6, 2016 - JAMAICA - The Ministry of Health is appealing to persons who fall within the high-risk groups for severe complications to seek treatment early if they experience symptoms of Influenza infection.

This comes as the country recorded its fourth Influenza A(H1N1) associated death. The latest patient is a pregnant woman who had other illnesses, including lung related complications.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Winston De La Haye advises that persons with other illnesses usually experience more severe symptoms of Influenza A(H1N1) which can lead to a worsening of their pre-existing condition.

To date, four persons have died, all of whom had severe complications including heart and lung related illnesses.

The patient, a 29-year-old woman was pregnant with twins. She died at the University Hospital of the West Indies. In the meantime,
a hospital official says there have now been 28 cases of adults and seven children with the swine flu.

“Patients in the high risk groups usually have other illnesses made worse by the infection or a compromised immune system. We generally see the greatest effects in persons with non-communicable diseases such as heart and lung related illnesses and respiratory diseases such as asthma,” De La Haye said.

He says it is important that treatment for these persons is initiated early so that there is a greater chance of recovery.

“I am appealing to persons in the high risk group including pregnant women, young children, the elderly, those with non-communicable diseases and any illness or undergoing treatment that weakens the immune system to seek medical help as soon as they begin to notice symptoms,” he said.

Influenza presents with symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, headache and body aches and fatigue. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also be experienced.

  Since January, the Ministry of Health has confirmed 28 cases of Influenza A(H1N1). The death of any person who had any of the associated conditions of the flu is recorded as an H1N1 death.

The Centre for Disease Control’s National Centre for Health Statistics estimates that 56,979 persons die each year from influenza and pneumonia associated complications.

Individuals who wish to obtain more information may call the Ministry of Health or the nearest health centre.

Persons may also visit the ministry's website at moh.gov.jm and like and follow us on www.facebook.com/themohgovjm; https://twitter.com/themohgovjm; https://instagram.com/themohgovjm.

- Jamaica Gleaner.

PLAGUES & PESTILENCES: Jamaica Records Second Swine Flu-Related Death - The Number Of Confirmed Cases Now Up To 10!

February 29, 2016 - JAMAICA - The Health Ministry is reporting a second death linked to the H1N1 virus commonly called (Swine Flu).

At the same time, the number of confirmed cases is now up to 10.

Acting chief medical officer in the Health Ministry, Dr Winston De La Haye, says the second patient to have died was a 49-year-old woman who had "other complicating illnesses".

She died at the University Hospital of the West Indies on February 23.

However, De La Haye says the positive result from a test for H1N1 was received only yesterday.

The second patient to have died was a 49-year-old woman who had "other complicating illnesses".

Fifty-year-old medical doctor, Suzanna Roye, who was also admitted at the UHWI, was the first patient to die from H1N1-related issues.

In the meantime, De La Haye says Jamaica remains on high alert for a possible spread of the virus.

"What we really want to stress is persons to do the appropriate hygiene," he said.

The virus was first reported in Jamaica in early February.

Swine Flu is a category one illness which means that within 24 hours of suspecting a case of severe acute respiratory illness, medical practitioners must report it to the health authority. - Jamaica Gleaner.

PLAGUES & PESTILENCES: Jamaica Activates National Influenza Plan Following Spike In Swine Flu Cases - 10 H1N1 Cases Since The Start Of The Year, Including The Death Of A Female Doctor; Country On High Alert!

February 23, 2016 - JAMAICA - The Ministry of Health is putting measures in place to prepare the health sector for more influenza cases, following an increase in cases of H1N1, commonly referred to as Swine Flu, and one death linked to that illness.

And Minister of Health Horace Dalley says he has instructed the National Emergency Operations Centre team to activate the national influenza plan.

“We have been reviewing our systems to ensure that we are able to manage any increase in cases that may come at our public health facilities. The team has been instructed to ensure that the necessary resources are put in place across all the Regional Health Authorities,” he said.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Winston De La Haye says the ministry has been monitoring symptoms associated with influenza viruses through its surveillance system and has noted an increase in cases over the past six weeks.

Minister of Health Horace Dalley (Photo: Jamaica Gleaner)

As a result doctors have been advised to report cases of influenza on suspicion within 24 hours.

“We have confirmed 10 cases since the start of the year and so far identified two strains of influenza viruses that are circulating among the population. Nine of the ten cases are H1N1. That nine includes one death. We have been strengthening our systems and increasing our supplies of medication to deal with this increase,” Dr. De La Haye said.

Over the weekend, a female doctor who was infected with H1N1, died in hospital. It was the first H1N1-related death in Jamaica.

Doctor first to die from swine flu-related issues, illness now on high alert list #Jamaica #H1N1 https://t.co/e9T3ilSagR

— Jan Voordouw (@JanVoordouw) February 21, 2016

The ministry says additional supplies of Tami Flu, used to treat H1N1, have been acquired with more supplies to come. But Dr. De La Haye noted that Tamiflu is only used to treat symptoms in severely affected patients and does not prevent illness.

Other measures put in place include: frontline staff being offered the flu vaccine, isolation areas in hospitals prepared, additional equipment, testing capacity being increased and increased public education.

Don't ignore Swine Flu symptoms. Be Alert, Be Healthy!#SwineFlu #HealthyIndia pic.twitter.com/mvua8kVS2t

— Mera Medicare (@MeraMedicare) March 23, 2015

Dr. De La Haye is urging citizens to also take steps to protect themselves and others from infection by observing proper hygiene practices.

Influenza is a viral respiratory illness that presents with symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, headache and body aches and fatigue. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also be experienced.Influenza viruses are mainly spread from person to person through droplets produced while coughing or sneezing, or by persons touching surfaces contaminated with droplets. - Caribbean 360.