BARBADIANS can rest assured that the renewed outbreak of the deadly H1N1 virus (swine flu) in our dominant tourism market will not be allowed to affect us here.
This assurance comes from Chief Medical Officer Dr Joy St John after 45 swine flu deaths were reported in Britain in the past few weeks.
In all, that country’s flu death toll has hit 50, with 11 new fatalities last week.
As people rushed for flu shots with stocks running low, the Government decided to bring in old vaccines from the 2009 swine flu pandemic.
Protection
Prime Minister David Cameron said that although that medication was “slightly different” to the latest flu vaccine, experts had assured him it still offered vital protection.
St John said yesterday that Barbados had instituted an influenza surveillance system which would never stop.
“Every week samples are taken from the community, Accident & Emergency [at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital], and any persons hospitalised with severe acute respiratory illness, which is the severe form of those influenza-like illnesses (ILI) caused by a range of viruses like H1N1, Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV), and H3N2 (seasonal flu).
“We also get notification from cruise ships about ILI and there are strict isolation and treatment protocols in place for cruise ships,” she said.
The chief added that the ministry had been tracking the influenza and other respiratory illness causing viruses all this time, so they knew which virus was predominating and instituted any measures necessary, including surveillance bulletins and instructions for the general public.
Guidelines
She noted that the ministry also followed guidelines and guidance from the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Both entities receive reports from Barbados on our surveillance findings and measures.
No rise
“Right now, we are not on alert because our surveillance is not detecting a rise of levels of ILI or any unusual virus patterns,” she stressed.
St John added that the stockpile of antiviral medication Government had was optimal for Barbados’ current situation.
“Trust me, if we need more medication, our drug suppliers can quickly supply our needs,” she said.
