154 CASES

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)