Chikungunya transmitted locally in BT
(CNS): Public health officials have confirmed that a patient from Bodden Town who has tested positive for the chikungunya virus has no travel history to countries reporting any outbreaks, suggesting that the virus has arrived in the Cayman Islands. Although some 29 countries and territories have reported cases of chikungunya in the Caribbean region, Cayman has confirmed just four positive cases from the seven samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). The total number of confirmed cases around the region has now reached 5,749 and since the last update on 14 July there has also been one new case and a blood sample has been sent for testing. The suspected blood sample was taken from a patient in a West Bay.
From results received by local health health officials so far, from the seven cases tested four have come back positive and three negative. Of the four confirmed cases, three had a travel history to countries reporting an outbreak, while one had no travel history, suggesting chikungunya was acquired locally. One of the positive cases was in a George Town resident, two were in Cayman Brac and the first local transmission was in a patient from Savannah. All others were acquired overseas.
Local officials recently confirmed that should Cayman face its own outbreak, health officials are prepared and ready to treat patients. There is however, no real cure for the mosquito-borne disease.
For regional updates and more details visit 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
Category: Health
Government too Busy making bottom line look good to care about it's people?
They don't care………………………….Politics and getting re-elected at the expense of its people's health………..
This country has major problems and government is too lapsy daisy about it all…………..
Civil Servants and employees of Statutory Authorities and boards do not face any liability unless bad faith can be proven…to prove bad fait–ofh well, try it down at the local courts- I can guarantee it will not succeed…….
IF Government would keep their own caymanian employees int he Glass House Full of MOLD!
You think they would care about us the larger population????
THE Second floor of Baptiste Hospital–it full of Caymanians with Cancer…..A doctor asked me why is there sucjh a high incidence int he Islands? I could not answer….
Maybe the mosquito cut is a blessing…. I recall on BRac in 70's and 80's , the MRCU people were going around throwing tablets into peoples cistern……MY dad pumped it dry immediately. There is six of us and knock on wood, none of my siblings or myself have…………….
The Dump and aerial spraying poisoned this island to its core-water,soil,air,vegetation, trees,fruits,animals and people. People should demand an independent investigation of the extent of the contamination in people's bodies,soil and water. But all you seem to care about is providing a market for tee-shirt sellers, or increasing the number of tourists via the airport expansion. The only thing of value-your health,is violated and ignored by mindless politicians.
As long as its independently founded go ahead and conduct all the studies you want. Don't let us stop you … from paying for it.
The Minister of Health was on CITN last week telling us that the penidng results for residents in Newlands would be negative as the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are not in Newlands. Did anyone questioned this? When asked how would be handle the situation if we have a local transmission; the Minister replied "we need to be concerned". Again no one has questions these statements. I asked this question and hope someone could answer me, why did the Minister of Health, who has not medical background would go on national TV to speak on a subject he is not capable of doing without Public Health representation.
This government cut the mosquito control budget by $74,000.00 which shows where their priorities are located.
Foolishness
No Lodge members making money to be made in mosquito spraying then.
Who knows what has already accumulated in Cayman soils and water. Banana leaves, many fruits are covered black .Toxic chemicals of unimaginable content are regularly spewed into water ,air and soil. I am bewildered why nobody demands an independent testing of water, soils and human bodies for it.
I wonder how many of the thousands of tyres at Trashmore provide breeding opportunities for Anopheles mosquito larvae, living in the trapped rain water. Just a thought.
They didn't want the dump so we gave them chikungunya instead.
A great reason to be welcoming of the Oxitec trials.
and human will be next?
I can just imagine when the flooding begins in Bodden Town where the water will lie stagnant for weeks around peoples homes as it has been in the past. . Good lord what is the Government doing about the flooding that will soon take place around peoples houses. Mr Alden I suggest that you get your Bodden Town MLA team to sort out and spend some money on these serious areas which will be breathing spots for the chikunbunga. It is time that discussions be held in these areas.
03:54, how in your right mind do you think it is Governments problem when people choose to build their houses in areas prone to flooding?
What next, Government owes me a new house boat when it sinks?
Screw BT, they tried to screw everyone else with the dump move objections.
I haven't noticed the spray plane or fogger trucks out spraying to try to kill off mosquitoes…Certainly this would help to eradicate some of the carrier mosquitoes that are obviously here now since one person who is infected did not travel.
The vector mosquito species do not live or breed in the mangrove swamps. They breed in containers and garbage around the home, including in the home.
Quite true — when we are complaining about what government is not doing, let us look in our own back yards. Please check for employ containers that are filled with water and which in turn are breeding mosquitoes. We people have a role to play, and let us take this threat seriously and go out into our environs and check on what we an do to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.
Holy crap! Not THE Chikunbunga? Wow, this fear porn is getting out of control. Perhaps it gives one dark circles around the eyes? Where do I line up for the suppository? Seriously, we are going to have to do better than this?
What's next, the war on horror? We've had the war on terror.
WTF are you on about mate?
May you never experience it…..I know someone who was not lucky..
Why am I not surprised. Well should we fill in the swamp now????
Yes! Lets fill in the swamp. Because that will get rid of all of these mosquitos that breed around houses and buildings, etc, and not in the swamp and … oh, wait, I see a problem.
"Aedes aegypti or the ‘Yellow Fever [and chikungunya] Mosquito’ is a very domesticated mosquito. It is found associated with human habitation breeding in water drums, guttering, buckets and discarded trash." http://www.mrcu.ky/brief-guide-to-common-mosquitoes/