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154 CASES
Published on: 11/3/2009.
BETWEEN APRIL and last month, 154 people in Barbados tested positive for the H1N1 (Influenza A) virus from 433 samples taken.
And these numbers may rise during the winter months.
Senior Medical Officer Dr Karen Springer, speaking at a two-day workshop at the Pan American Health Organisation yesterday, said though there had been a marked increase in cases since school reopened in September, they noticed a slight decline in the past two to three weeks.
However, she cautioned health care providers to stay on their guard since there could be a second wave of cases in the winter season.
Of the 154 confirmed, 53 per cent were female and 47 per cent male, ranging in ages from infants 23 days old to 65-year-olds.
Springer said the disease, commonly called swine flu, was one that primarily affected the young population, with most cases in the five-to-14 and 17-to-21 age groups.
"It is important to know that most of them have been from hospitalised cases. Although there have been other flu viruses, H1N1 remains the predominant virus accounting for over of 36 per cent of the samples," she added.
Deputy Chief Public Health Nurse Claudette Casey said the workshop was vital at this stage.
"It is very important that we strengthen our skills in the area of infections control which is critical at this time, especially since the WHO [World Health Organisation] is saying that this second wave of the virus is expected and we need to be prepared," she stated.
Minister of Health Donville Inniss, delivering the feature address, said the virus was also a threat to the Barbados economy and health workers.
"This virus has the potential to adversely affect the very core of our economy and indeed our health care system, especially in the current economic climate, which I don't need to remind you is indeed becoming very challenging for us here in Barbados.
"Management of resources would be vital in assuring that the public of Barbados receives the necessary care and treatment.
"Like other emerging diseases and re-emerging diseases, this pandemic has already started to take its toll on the health care providers, of which the nurses are a major group," he added. (CT)
8 comment found!
H1N1 : 11/5/2009
I am a Barbadian living in Toronto,yesterday i was vaccinated against the H1N1 virus,but it continues to be stressed,that washing of hands is extremely important.The cost in Barbados may be prohibitive,but hand sanitizers are a great help in keeping your hands germ free.WASH YOUR HANDS.
Water Is Expensive : 11/4/2009
One of our writers stated that the people should take a bath or shower, water is too expensive and some people are not even washing their vegetables properly. Some people are delaying hand washing after bathroom use, and cutting down of rinsing their clothes. This H1N1 is not a matter of water, but will spread because of the lack of water usage. Well-well!
H1N1 : 11/3/2009
Stupid and ignorant people should be prevented from Blogging.
: 11/3/2009
154 cases out of a population of 260,000 people and still the great fear after all this time. At least more is known and treatment is now available. How can you project that these numbers MAY increase in the winter months? By the tourists running from the cold or the Bajans returning for christmas. I would take that out of the print if I were you at the Nation. Retired
: 11/3/2009
The people of barbados need to have shower and bath and stop talking bought the H1N1. That is just the name the government made up for the flu.The island can not go long with what the govenment of the USA say,because is just out to make money.People need to think for themsevle.
Promises : 11/3/2009
Often i try to extract moral values from politacl decisions and plicy making however.......some one please inform me if the vacination the said Minister of Health bellowed out would be here before the end of October .is it here yet? happy independence, Merry xmas , happy new year ..ADVICE set realistic time lines..if you dont know what to say .hum... dont be a sad statistic like the northern MP who said a roundabout for his town would not happen..lol i bet the prime minister found that hilarious..
Antiviral : 11/3/2009
The antiviral is being produced by large scale poultry farms and drug manufactures listed on the stock market, and so ;I see this pandemic as a potential money maker for those whose monetary input was meted.
Population control : 11/3/2009
X amount of pig flu in them skin man. Jah say gash dem and light dem.
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