St. Kitts-Nevis Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Patrick Martin

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - RESIDENTS in St. Kitts-Nevis have been assured by the Ministry of Health that proper precautions would help protect them from Swine Flu, even as the World Health Organisation (WHO) raised its alert status to Phase 5.

Wednesday (Apr. 29), the WHO raised its pandemic alert status to Phase 5 for the influenza virus A/H1N1, commonly known as Swine Flu. The attainment of the Phase 5 alert means that there is the existence of sustained community level outbreaks of the disease in two or more countries within a WHO region.

Additionally, a recent release from the St. Kitts-Nevis Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Patrick Martin, stated that movement to the sixth and highest Phase, which means sustained community outbreaks in one country of another WHO region, is “highly likely”.

Despite these warnings, the doctor noted that no cases of swine flu have been detected and confirmed within the borders of St. Kitts-Nevis or any of the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre member countries. 

Speaking at a press conference yesterday at Government Headquarters, Martin said that while “it is a public health emergency of international concern” many measures have been put in place to protect the population within the Federation.

Among the measures instituted is adequate surveillance of all ports of entry to St. Kitts-Nevis. 

“The captain of an aircraft or seacraft is required by international treaty to declare what is happening onboard. There is a health declaration that is submitted to the board of control people. As people are disembarking, the Port Health Officers will scan for persons who appear to be sick.

“If there is a sick intercept, that person would be issued with a mask and sequestered. The Port Officer will conduct an initial assessment and will get in contact with his medical backup. If the person needs to be put in the hospital, they are taken to the hospital,” Martin said.

Furthermore, he said that even persons who do not display signs of illness are being actively monitored by the Ministry of Health.

“All persons coming to St. Kitts-Nevis right now are receiving information. If you develop certain systems, this is what you do, this is who you call. Information is being sent today to hotels and guesthouses, in the event of [a guest becoming ill] this is what you do.”

While WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan advised that “it really is all of humanity that is under threat in a pandemic” threat like that of Swine Flu, the CMO said that there are many things the people of St. Kitts-Nevis can do to effectively protect themselves.

“Some ways to boost our immune system are as follows: good nutrition, get your rest, maintain a positive mental attitude, attend to your spiritual health, avoid excess alcohol and high caffeine drinks, avoid burning the candle at both ends and stay in tune to authoritative sources (WHO, PAHO, CAREC, etc.).”

If a person comes down with cold or flu symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, sneeze, cough and throat ache, the Ministry of Health is advising them to stay at home and in phone contact with their personal physician or community health centre. Only if a person is showing signs of respiratory infection, lethargy or a rapidly worsening condition are they being advised to seek medical treatment at a hospital.

It was also reported that the Federation had obtained 50 medical sample transportation devices necessary for testing to be carried out, and anti-viral medications would arrive shortly thereafter. 

Ultimately, Martin said that the important thing for the general public to realise is that the disease can be effectively prevented and treated with the proper precautions and awareness.

“There is good news. As you are aware, everyone will not die, everyone will not get sick and many people have already recovered. That information is clear and true.”

To date, 257 cases of and eight deaths from Swine Flu have been confirmed across 11 countries worldwide by the WHO.