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Local to lead Shetty hospital spiritual needs

Local to lead Shetty hospital spiritual needs

| 03/11/2014 | 0 Comments

(CNS): A Caymanian has been appointed as the hospital chaplain at Dr Shetty’s health city in East End. As well as attending to the spiritual needs of patients and their family and the staff at the facility Charles D Bush will also serve on the hospital’s newly formed Ethics Committee to help provide answers to difficult issues surrounding modern health care. Although a Christian Bush said he was eager to affirm that Health City Cayman Islands is a multi-faith healthcare setting. “We anticipate providing care to multi-religious patients and their families,” he said.

“I am quite passionate about this rich opportunity to affirm and celebrate diversity and to affirm the common dignity of all persons, whoever they are and wherever they are on life’s journey,” Bush added.

Professionally trained to provide spiritual care in a medical setting, Bush will be an active member of the interdisciplinary healing team at Health City, said Dr Chandy Abraham, Medical and Facility Director at Health City. He has been appointed to the position of Manager, Mission Integration and Spiritual Care, a multi-faceted role.

“Chaplain Bush will not only be working with our patients and their families, he will also provide spiritual support for our staff, working towards creating a culture which supports spiritually centred, holistic care,” said Dr Chandy. 

Bush was born and raised in the Cayman Islands. He earned a Master of Divinity from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and completed his clinical training in healthcare chaplaincy at Gwinnett Medical Center, a 600-bed hospital system and Level II trauma centre in the Greater Atlanta area. His research areas include pastoral care, faith formation, mental health and outreach to youth at-risk. Chaplain Bush is certified by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education. He is an affiliate of the Association of Professional Chaplains and a commissioned Episcopal Lay Chaplain (Diocese of Atlanta).

“The role of a hospital chaplain is to assess a patient’s pastoral care needs and create a plan of care, offering comfort and with a non-judgmental, non-anxious presence. Simply put, a hospital chaplain is an extension of the holistic model of healthcare in which the whole person is cared for: body, mind and spirit,” the chaplain stated.

“The spiritual care at Health City is patient-focused and I will be seeking to draw out the resources of the individual. I believe that we are each our own best authority on what our faith or spirituality is. I am committed to working with community clergy and faith leaders, ascollaborative partners in pastoral care,” he added.

Health City’s chaplain said he looked forward to helping the hospital live out its vision of providing person-centered world class healthcare and ensuring that healthcare is accessible to all.

A volunteer Associate Clergy Chaplain and Associate Lay Chaplain programme will also be announced in the near future, officials said in a release about the appointment.

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Lifestyle disease focus of local health conference

Lifestyle disease focus of local health conference

| 30/10/2014 | 4 Comments

(CNS): As the world’s health concern’s focus on West Africa and the most devastating outbreak of the deadly, Ebola virus in history, and as the Caribbean battles with outbreaks of denge and chikungunya virus, the diseases that actually plague Caymanians will be the subject of the fifth annual Cayman Islands Healthcare Conference. Diabetes, cancer, obesity, cardiovascular disease, mental health and other non-communicable diseases will be the topics of discussions and presentations at the event. Local health officials said the free conference would include a line-up of experts from the front line in the war on these diseases.

The conference is set for 20 to 22 November at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and presenters include overseas and local specialists who will discuss some of the biggest challenges to the health of Cayman.

Dr James Hospedales is the Executive Director of Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and he will be opening the conference with an overview of whether the war is being won on CNCDs globally and in the Caribbean. Dr Hospedales, a citizen of Trinidad & Tobago, has been the Executive Director of CARPHA since February 2013 and has a wide breadth of knowledge of CNCDs in the region, officials said.

The Chief Interventional Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist at Health City Cayman Islands, Dr Ravi Kishore Amancharla, will discuss conquering the cardiovascular Leviathan. Since 1997, Dr Ravi has been working with Dr Devi Shetty and has been instrumental in establishing state of the art electrophysiology services across the group hospitals.

Dr Edward Anim-Addo, Internal Medicine, Chief Medical Officer with Tenet Florida Physician Services will address global trends in type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity and correlates. Dr Robert Cywes, also from Tenet, a specialist in neonatal, paediatric surgery and adolescent surgery with will tackle the facts versus beliefs as they relate to obesity.

Dr Lawrence Friedman, Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at the University of California, San Diego will discuss using new technology to improve diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the role of electronic medical records and mobile monitoring. Presenting on food security, nutrition and NCD control in the Caribbean, will be Dr. Fitzroy Henry, a Professor of Public Health Nutrition at University of Technology, Jamaica.

As a Hematologist-Oncologist & Medical Oncologist with Cancer Treatment Centers of Americas, Dr Shayma Kazmi’s focus will be on genetics and DNA sequencing applications in cancer treatment.

Medical Director at The Heart Health Centre, Grand Cayman, Dr Mikhail Kosiborod will talk about the rising “tsunami” of diabetes and its complications.

Dr George Peoples is the founder of the Cancer Vaccine Development Program (CVDP); founder and CEO of Cancer Insight, LLC and Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the HealthSciences. He will speak on the new frontier for cancer treatment: personalised cancer immunotherapy. 

Shannon Seymour, the Director of the Wellness Centre in Cayman will present on community first response to mental health.

“The calibre of speakers at this year’s conference is profound and we intend to highlight a range of topics that will be beneficial to the medical community and the general public alike,” said Osbourne Bodden who will also open the conference.  “We continue to offer this conference and knowledge to the community free of charge, so I encourage people to register soon, as space is limited.”

Committed sponsors this year include: Tenet Healthcare, Tower, Cayman Islands Health Services Authority, Dart, Health City Cayman Islands, CONCACAF, UnitedHealthcare International, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Cleveland Clinic, Baptist Health International, Marsh, Cerner, BritCay, University of California-San Diego, Aitheras Aviation Group, Aon Risk Solutions, Broward Health, The Wellness Centre, Fidelity, Heart Health Centre, Saint Luke’s Mid-America Institute, Generali, Cayman Airways and many other exhibitors and not-for-profit organisations.

Read more and register here

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Fifth local case of Chikungunya confirmed in WB

Fifth local case of Chikungunya confirmed in WB

| 29/10/2014 | 11 Comments

(CNS): A patient from West Bay who has no travel history to countries where chikungunya is endemic has tested positive for the virus, following the return of the latest batch of blood samples sent to Trinidad for testing. The total number of confirmed chikungunya cases in the Cayman Islands has now reached 29, with the majority of people picking up the sickness in Jamaica and other countries experiencing outbreaks. Five people, however, have acquired the virus in Cayman, which officials say was caused by mosquitos biting people who had been infected overseas, then biting another victim locally, passing on the virus.

Public health officials said that in 18 of the 29 cases of the virus, the patients had been infected in Jamaica, two in the Dominican Republic, three in Guyana and one in St Lucia.
Three new cases were confirmed this week. A resident of George Town and a resident of Cayman Brac both acquired the disease in Jamaica, while the West Bay patient, whose symptoms began on 11 October, acquired it locally. 

The last locally acquired case was 20 September. 

“The sporadic occurrence of confirmed local cases may be due to mosquitoes transmitting chikungunya to persons with no travel history, after biting persons infected elsewhere,” said Dr Kiran Kumar, Medical Officer of Health. “We will continue to collect and test samples of residents with no travel history, in an effort to identify any establishment of local transmission, and to ensure an appropriate level of response."

Health officials are also awaiting results of a further 30 blood samples that have been sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA),

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 27 October 15,841 probable cases of chikungunya have been reported from 34 countries in the region.

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

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Salmonella causes cashew nut recall

Salmonella causes cashew nut recall

| 29/10/2014 | 8 Comments

(CNS): A brand of raw cashew nuts which are being sold in stores in the Cayman Islands have may have been contaminated with Salmonella, according to an alert issued by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) said “Deep Raw Cashew Pieces” are on sale here and officials are warning the public not to eat this product. Food Safety officials from DEoH identified the product in Grand Cayman between 15 and 27 October and staff are currently contacting all wholesalers and local supermarkets, both here and in the Sister Islands, to ensure that all affected products are immediately removed from sale.

The recalled "Deep Raw Cashew Pieces” are sold in a 7oz, 14oz, & 28oz clear plastic package marked with UPC number on the rear of the package. The numbers that are of concern are:

UPC number for 7oz. is 011433133104
UPC number for 14oz. is 011433133111
UPC number for 28oz. is 011433133128

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing conducted by the FDA and no illnesses have been reported to date in the United States in connection with the product but given the potential severity of salmonella the nuts are being recalled.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhoea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances the organism may get into the bloodstream, producing more severe illnesses such as infected aneurysms, endocarditis, and arthritis.

If you have eaten this product and are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your medical provider immediately.

For further information concerning local efforts, contact the DEH at 949-6696. For other details, visit the FDA website at www.fda.com
 

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Parents warned to inspect kids Halloween treats

Parents warned to inspect kids Halloween treats

| 28/10/2014 | 23 Comments

(CNS): Government officials are urging parents not to take any chances when it comes to  candy and other treats their kids may want to eat this Halloween. The environmental health department said parents should examine closely the goodies children are given when they are out trick or treating this week to ensure they are safe. The officials said parents should insist that kids wait until they get home to eat sweets or food items and only after they or other adults have inspected them. If children are given a snack or light meal before they set out trick or treating, officials advised, this would cut down on the impulse of kids to eat the candy they collect right away. The DoHE also said parents should throw out home-made treats, candy or baked goods that children collect.

With a number of different things being given to children on Halloween to prevent illness or injury the (DoEH) advised parents to remove any choking hazard such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys during treat inspections. They said commercially-wrapped treats should be inspected for signs of tampering. Look for unusual appearance, discoloration, tiny pinholes, or torn wrappers and discard anything that appears suspicious.

Juice or cider should not be left unrefrigerated for extended periods before consumption with unpasteurised juices and cider being especially vulnerable. All fresh fruit should be thoroughly, inspect for holes and other blemishes, the officials advised, adding that they should be cut open to check.

“If in doubt, throw it out,” the DoEH said, as it warned parents to consider their children’s food allergies and examine lablels.

For further information on food safety, please contact DEH at 949-6696 or visit the DEH website at www.deh.gov.ky

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Visitor with gastroenteritis stirs up Ebola scare

Visitor with gastroenteritis stirs up Ebola scare

| 27/10/2014 | 26 Comments

(CNS): A woman visiting Cayman from the USA is at the George Town hospital being treated for gastroenteritis and not Ebola after concerns that she may have been infected with the deadly virus. The woman had not travelled to Africa and had arrived in Cayman nine days ago directly from New York. The first patient in New York suffering with the virus, a doctor who had been working with patients in West Arica, tested positive for Ebola last Thursday and is being treated at the Bellevue hospital, NY. On Monday US health officials also confirmed that a 5-year-old boy who had just returned from West Africa to New York is being tested for Ebola after he was rushed to the same hospital with symptoms consistent with the virus.

It is not clear why the woman was suspected of having the disease but CNS understands that the possibility that she had Ebola had been conveyed via a 911 call. Government officials said that Emergency Medical Services were called to a house in East End early Monday for a female patient experiencing symptoms of fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weakness and sweating. EMS responders complied with protocol to pick up the patient and protect themselves.

“The measures we took were precautionary,” saidHealth Minister Osbourne Bodden. “We took every precaution in our response to this report. The symptoms did not mean that this individual had the Ebola virus. Those are symptoms that can be related to a number of things. We enacted the precautionary measures the government and the Health Services Authority have in place. Public safety is and will continue to be our primary goal.”

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) said Monday morning that the patient’s travel history did not meet the criteria to be indicative of Ebola as she had not travelled outside of New York before her arrival in Cayman some nine days ago.

While Ebola concerns have become an international issues, the Cayman Islands Government has a history of not only overseeing local precautions but the Public Health Department, on behalf of government, routinely communicates with international agencies such the Caribbean Public Health Agency, the Pan American Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Public Health England. Should the Ebola virus reach the Cayman Islands, these organisations have promised technical assistance with regards to the deployment of human resources and supplies.

The HSA also has two certified staff on board to deal with Ebola and is in the process of purchasing a field hospital and other necessary equipment as a precautionary measure should someone infected with the dangerous virus arrive in Cayman.

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HSA to get $800k Ebola unit

HSA to get $800k Ebola unit

| 22/10/2014 | 87 Comments

(CNS): In an effort to keep the country free of the deadly Ebola virus the Cayman government has made a decision to ban anyone from, or who has visited, Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, or Congo within the past 21 days from the Cayman Islands. But in case the virus is brought here, Cabinet has agreed to allocate the necessary $800,000 to buy a purpose-built isolation unit, or field hospital and personal protective equipment that officials will need to isolate or quarantine individuals. The health minister announced that alongside the travel ban officials are actively reviewing and considering options to further enhance the islands’ state of readiness.

“Staff will receive specialized training to ensure the correct use of this PPE. At today’s meeting, my colleagues and I were reassured by the clear evidence of inter-agency collaboration and cooperation, and we are confident that as a country we are on the right path in our approach,” Osbourne Bodden said following Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.

“While I do not believe there is cause for alarm, we simply cannot afford to be complacent. As the Minister of Health, I am committed to keeping the governor, the premier and my Cabinet colleagues informed of any new developments on this front. My ministry is also committed to providing the public with regular updates concerning our efforts. I want to assure the public that we will keep them informed of our progress including weekly updates,” he said.

Concern had increased locally after the deadly virus reached the shore of the US and those concerns were heightened when a lab technician who had handled samples of the virus in Texas was discovered to be travelling on a cruise ship in the region last week. Although that health worker tested negative for Ebola and the ship cleared by the CDC this weekend the opportunity for the virus to move from place to place unchecked raised the alarm.

Bodden said Wednesday that officials, from 13 agencies have been working together for several weeks now, to prevent the Ebola virus from entering Cayman and are in regular communication about plans and procedures, to satisfy the protocols necessary to contain the virus.

“This committee has considered a range of matters to date, including entry screening protocols, contact tracing, and contingency plans that cover issues such as: transportation, isolation and quarantine, case management and infection control measures,” the minister added. “Government is also monitoring the situation in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia—the three remaining African countries with outbreaks, now that Nigeria has been declared Ebola free. We have also been monitoring the situation in the United States, where they had their first cases, as well as the emerging situation in Congo.”

The Immigration Department and Public Health department have created a health questionnaire to address passengers’ travel patterns for the four weeks before their arrival in the Cayman Islands. The cruise lines have also distributed similar health questionnaires to passengers before they embark, and there are established procedures and protocols whereby a passenger who becomes unwell is not permitted to disembark.

“If a passenger has a travel history to one of the affected countries and appears well, the person will be placed in the Public Health office in the airport arrival hall, and the HSA team will be contacted. If the person is unwell, staff will call 911. An emergency medical services (EMS) team will assess the passenger through a Health Screening questionnaire that will elicit exposure history. They will also take that person’s temperature. A passenger who does not have any fever or other symptoms, and is a visitor, will be denied entry and quarantined until departure,” Bodden said as he explained the now defined procedure for handling Ebola should the need arise.

He said residents will have an option to be quarantined in a designated place at the Cayman Islands Hospital, or in their own home supervised by security guards, if all household members were also passengers, or if living alone.

“If quarantined in the Hospital – the individual will also be watched by a security guard, and arrangements made for daily needs to be met in a manner similar to any inpatient of the Hospital. Similar arrangements will assist the daily needs of persons quarantined at home.”

Quarantine notices will be served by the Medical Officer of Health and passengers will also receive information about the Ebola quarantine and how to self-monitor for signs of the illness. Quarantined persons will be instructed to inform their security guard, or contact the telephone number on the quarantine notice, if they become unwell at any time, or for any concern or need. During quarantine period, the Public Health team will monitor the person’s temperature twice a day. If at any time the person has a temperature of 101˚F, they will be moved to an isolation room and managed as a suspect case.

The HSA has adequate protective gear for Hospital staff, should a suspect case arise, and is procuring additional supplies. It is also organizing training through an overseas facility and webinars in all aspects of managing the virus.

Hospital boss, Lizette Yearwood, will also be appearing on Cayman 27 this evening to talk about the field hospital that the government will be buying. The HSA already has 500 protective suits, and extra hoods and head shields have been ordered. Facing the worst case scenario an Ebola care team of volunteers is also being trained. The field hospital will be able to house up to eight patients in isolation and the unit will be able to quarantine patients who had been exposed to the disease but not necessarily sick

See health minister's full VT Ebola message here

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Physio dept welcomes kids equipment donation

Physio dept welcomes kids equipment donation

| 22/10/2014 | 0 Comments

(CNS): A Cayman based charity which works towards poverty alleviation in the region has made a donation to the local hospital’s physiotherapy department. I AM CO, gave the department a selection of sensory toys and equipment for the forty or so children that are being regularly treated there. Rockella Smith, Physiotherapy Manager at the HSA, said the equipment and toys will be of great benefit for the children.  “They will help our young patients with mobility, balance and flexibility.  In addition to the specialised equipment, the sensory toys will keep the children engaged and incorporate fun activities into their sessions,” she said.

WendyAnn George, I AM CO representative said the charity aimed to help individuals to become more independent and reach their full potential. “We saw the HSA’s physiotherapy department as an opportunity for our organisation to touch the lives of the children currently receiving treatment, as well as those in the years to come.”

In addition to twenty sensory toys, I AM CO also donated a Rifton Pacer Walker, Leckey Tot Standing Frame, Climbing wall ladder, Angle ladder, Steam Roller, Scooter board, PT stool, Home therapy system – linear glider, Big Talk Triple Play Sequencer, Talking MagicRoller and a Somatosensory Bead chain.
To learn more or to donate to I AM CO, visit www.iamco.ky.  For more information about the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority, please visit www.hsa.ky.

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Local travellers pick up dengue and chikungunya

Local travellers pick up dengue and chikungunya

| 22/10/2014 | 8 Comments

(CNS): While fears over the global spread of the deadly Ebola virus capture international attention, public health officials in Cayman are still battling to contain chikungunya virus and once again dengue fever. Although there have been no new local transmissions of chikungunya virus, one result from a patient sample sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency has tested positive for the virus having travelled to Jamaica where there is a major outbreak. Another sample tested for dengue for the first time this year in a patient who had travelled to Honduras. Both viruses are similar and spread by mosquitoes so health officials continue to urge all residents to take precautions.

“As an outbreak has been established in Jamaica,” said Dr Kiran Kumar, adding that this was where the majority of patients in Cayman had contracted the virus, “the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has advised that only a limited number of samples with travel history will be tested as all of them will be clinically diagnosed and considered as suspected cases.”The public health boss explained that “this means that since we have not had a locally transmitted case since 20 September blood testing will be carried out for those without travel history, to consider if any local transmission is occurring.”

So far Cayman has recorded 26 cases of chikungunya since the first case in June. Just four were acquired locally the rest of the people had travelled to the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica and St Lucia.  

This week Cayamn received results for 12 of 24 outstanding samples ten were negative but a resident of North side tested positive for chikungunya having travelled to Jamaica and another tested positive for dengue having visited Honduras where that virus is common, but both patients are no longer infectious.

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. 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.
 
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 onhttp://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/geo/united-states.html.

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Cruise ship cleared by CDC back at sea

Cruise ship cleared by CDC back at sea

| 21/10/2014 | 9 Comments

(CNS): The Carnival Magic cruise ship has been cleared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States and is expected back in Cayman later this week. The ship, which regularly calls on Grand Cayman as part of its cruising itinerary hit the international news headlines last week when it was revealed that a Texas lab technician who had handled Ebola medical samples was aboard. The woman has since tested negative for the virus and was isolated in her cruise ship Cabin for most of her trip. The Carnival cruise ship had left Galveston before the technician was aware she needed to be tested and quarantined.

The CDC released a statement Sunday after reviewing all of the evidence relating to the passenger and said that, “No passengers or crew were exposed to Ebola on the ship.” The CDC added that “the ship was safe to use” with no need to screen passengers. The ship was also sanitized before leaving Texas at the weekend and it is now expected to arrive in the Cayman Islands on Thursday, as scheduled. CDC also confirmed that the lab technician’s Ebola test was negative

The deputy premier and minister of tourism, Moses Kirkconnell said he was pleased the tests on the healthcare worker had returned as negative meaning that neither the ship nor its passengers had been exposed to the virus as originally feared. During the cruise the ship had been declined entry into both Belize and Mexico when the news came from CDC that the technician who may have been exposed to the virus was on-board.

“Although this particular incident has been satisfactorily resolved, I would like to reassure the public that the Cayman Islands remains on high alert concerning the Ebola Virus and all of the relevant stakeholders and agencies are taking precautionary measures to ensure that our Islands are protected from exposure and remain free of the virus,” said the Minister. \\
“In the case of the Carnival Magic, both the Galveston Country Health District (GCHD) and the U.S. Centres for Disease Control have issued public health advisories confirming that the ship poses no threat to passengers and the vessel has been cleared to continue its normal schedule.

“Additionally, even though no requirement for specialised cleaning was imposed on Carnival, the ship has been thoroughly sanitized out of an abundance of caution prior to commencing its next voyage.”

Officials said the tourism ministry had remained in close contact with Carnival for updates on the situation and received assurances from the cruise line that as well as monitoring the health and safety of its passengers the health and well-being of the citizens at the cruise destinations it calls on were also being considered.

Kirkconnell said the cruise line has stated that as an additional precautionary measure, enhanced mandatory screening has been introduced for all passengers, visitors and crews boarding its vessels.

“All guests are required to submit to a series of health screening and travel history questions prior to embarkation and, if deemed necessary, will undergo further medical screening before being allowed to board,” the minister stated as a result of his communication with Carnival. “With these safeguards in place we are as confident as we can be about the safety of the ship and should have nothing to fear from welcoming the passengers and crew to our shores,” he added.

Prior to the United States reporting its first case of Ebola in September, government officials from 13 agencies in the Cayman Islands were already working together to mitigate against the threat of the virus entering our shores, officials stated in a release Tuesday.

However, it was clear from a recent public meeting held by the public health department that Cayman does not yet have a prepared or coordinated plan on how it will deal with screening or quarantining and treating anyone that may arrive in Cayman who has the virus.

Nevertheless, the health minister added that the necessary government agencies were collaborating on a plan. 

“I would like to reassure the public that we are taking all precautions for border control, and measures to combat potential risk will remain in place for as long as is necessary to ensure our Ports of entry are protected,” Osbourne Bodden said, as he thanked Dr Kumar and his team at Public Health and Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, for their hard work as well as Bruce Smith and his team from Immigration.

“We trust that our efforts will pay off, and these islands will not have to test the many protocols that have been put in place, in conjunction with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and others,” he added hopefully. 

He said that the public will continue to receive periodic updates on the global and regional situations regarding the threat of Ebola, as well as the Cayman Islands’ readiness to cope with any local outbreak.

Meanwhile, according to the latest international reports while Nigeria has managed to contain the virus and halt its potential spread in that country, things in Sierra Leone are getting worse as the number of people infected with Ebola, on the other side of the country from where the first cases emerged, is soaring with more than 20 deaths daily.

Hospitals in all of the countries treating patients infected with the deadly, contagious disease are facing mounting challenges dealing with the infected waste generated by sick patients.  Patients generate a staggering amount of what is hazardous material daily, with experts suggesting it amounts to eight 55 gallon barrels of dangerous medical material per patient per day.

A Spanish nurse who was infected while treating a patient in a Madrid hospital has now been given the all clear and has recovered from the disease. While another nurse infected in Texas is said to be doing well in her recovery at a specialized unit near Atlanta. She was one of two nurses infected while treating Thomas Eric Duncan who died last week.

 

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