At least 10 persons now infected with Chikungunya in Jamaica
According to a report by Loop Jamaica, The Ministry of Health has confirmed two additional locally transmitted cases of Chikungunya.
Director, Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services, Dr. Marion Bullock DuCasse said the positive results were received yesterday (August 15) from samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). This brings the total number of confirmed cases for Jamaica to ten – eight from local transmission and two imported.
“These two cases include a previously suspected one on the campus of the University of the West Indies.
The affected parishes remain St. Thomas, St. Catherine, St. Ann and Kingston and St. Andrew. We want to stress that personal responsibility is important to reduce the spread of Chikungunya and urge persons to place major emphasis on finding and destroying mosquito breeding sites,” Dr. DuCasse said.
It is recommended that households, school administrators, business proprietors and members of places of worship spend at least 10 minutes per week to search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites.
Chikungunya is spread by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito which is generally found in and around places where people inhabit.
Dr. DuCasse added that individuals should ensure that they protect themselves from mosquito bites by using insect repellent containing DEET, covering their body as much as possible by wearing long sleeved clothing for example and putting mesh on doors and windows.
For more information persons may contact the Ministry’s Emergency Operations Centre at 1-888-663-5683 or 1-888-ONE-LOVE.
The Pan American Health Organization has reported that as of August 1, 2014, 31 countries and territories in the Americas have reported that they have local transmission of Chikungunya and 23 with imported cases.
There have been a total of 508,122 suspected cases reported and 4,736 confirmed as being locally transmitted. In addition there have been a reported total of 535 confirmed imported cases and 32 deaths.
Source: Loop Jamaica