BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH the viral disease ‘Chikungunya’ already infecting more than 20 individuals in St. Kitts, Minister of Health the Hon. Marcella Liburd said it is “under control”.
The Minister was at the time speaking with SKNVibes Health at the recent opening of the inaugural Sunfest on Thursday (Jun. 26) at the Independence Square.
She stated that medical facilities are treating infected individuals with a high level of urgency, so they do not spend long periods at the hospital awaiting treatment.
“I think that it is basically under control. Persons who have become affected are being treated with urgency, and so very often those who are admitted to hospital spend a very short time.”
The Minister also said measures were put in place to curb the spread of mosquitoes and, by extension, the virus.
“We are on top of it in terms of treatment. We have also started some other measures, which is fogging some of the areas in order to deal with the mosquitoes and that is being continued…that works with a schedule. This would help to reduce the levels of mosquitoes in the various areas and reduce the instances of Chikungunya in the areas.”
The Minister declared that “even though we have quite a few cases of it, it is not out of control or it is not a thing that the Ministry of Health is not on top of”.
However, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Martin is of a different view.
Speaking recently with WINN FM, Dr. Martin said there has been an increase in the number of suspected and confirmed case of the virus.
“We are up to about 30 confirmed cases as of about a week ago, but there are more suspected case or cases that are clinically confirmed.”
He noted that not every individual is administered with a blood test to confirm if they have contracted the virus, but it is used in extreme cases.
“Blood tests have been reserved now for persons who may have a presentation that is unusual or unexpected. It is for persons who require intensive care. Ordinarily, right now we are not testing everybody anymore; we are reserving the resources for patients who required some more diagnostic intervention.”
The CMO stated that he expects the virus to be around for a long period before levelling off.
Meanwhile, the Minister commenting on the La Valle situation noted that it has been rectified and works continue to be undertaken in the ponds.
She noted that works are usually undertaken on an “occasional” basis in the area.
“I think that matter was being addressed and I think it was addressed all along. Whatever they have been doing, they have started it already. I have spoken with Mr. Riley… they occasionally go and deal with it. It is not something that they have not done. They occasionally go and deal with it, and I know this time they have gone down there and they are really trying to implement something.”
Minister Liburd cleared the air on the belief that Sandy Point has the most infected persons, stating that “it is not true that the majority of cases of Chikungunya is coming out of the Sandy Point area”.
“That’s one of the things we were checking to see if it’s one particular area where you can say that you have most of the cases. It is pretty much widespread! The places that have been confirmed are islandwide.”
It is advised that individuals take precautionary measures to protect themselves against the disease by wearing light coloured clothing, long sleeved shirts and long pants, staying indoors during dusk and dawn if possible, installing mosquito screens in windows and doorways, applying mosquito repellent, and using mosquito nets.
It is recommend that persons should dispose of all items that might be breeding grounds for mosquitoes, including empty bottles, plastic bags, pots, pans, cans, tyres, coconut shells, flower vases, Styrofoam and other water storage containers.
