Step up virus response, urges Agard

SHADOW MINISTER of Health Dr Maria Agard has called on Government to treat the outbreak of chikungunya in Barbados with greater urgency.

During a media briefing today, she claimed that although 40 cases have been officially reported, hundreds of people were suffering from the virus. However, she said they were refusing to pay for the confirmation tests.

Agard said large numbers of people were crowding the island’s polyclinics each day complaining of chikungunya symptoms.

The Barbados Labour Party representative for Christ Church West called for increased environmental and public health manpower as well as a more comprehensive vector control programme. (GC)