BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE government and health officials in St. Kitts and Nevis are keeping a close watch on the outbreak of yellow fever in several countries in South America.
According to information reaching SKNVibes News, Brazil, Suriname and Colombia, among other countries, have recorded cases of the fever.
Addressing the issue at yesterday’s (Apr. 5) Prime Minister’s press conference, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws disclosed that the government is aware of these cases.
“The Ministry of Health is presently monitoring the outbreak of yellow fever in Brazil. A few days ago, a traveller from the Netherlands went to Suriname and picked up yellow fever. And so we had a meeting just this week and we are making plans to tighten the surveillance at our ports.”
The Federation has not recorded a case of the fever for many years and steps outlined by the Chief Medical Officer would minimise the chance of any outbreak in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Like many countries in the region, St. Kitts and Nevis has been prone to the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, despite assurances by health officials that steps have been taken to stop viruses from entering the shores.
Case in point being the Zika virus, which had its epicentre in Brazil before making its way to St. Kitts and Nevis, and infected hundreds of persons.
Dr. Laws noted that they would be stationing “public health nurses around the clock” at the air and seaport “whereby we would be looking at people coming from countries where yellow fever is endemic”.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease that is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.
The agency noted that the virus is mostly found in the tropical and subtropical areas in South America and Africa.
Upon arrival at ports of entry into St. Kitts and Nevis, travellers from infected countries are expected to provide documentation of their vaccination against the virus.
Asked by SKNVibes if the policy would apply to persons travelling from Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana, Dr. Laws pointed out that “in particular travellers coming from all the infected countries, not just South America”.
The CDC explained that the disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, laboratory testing, and travel history, including the possibility of exposure to infected mosquitoes.
According to the CDC, symptoms include Fever, headache, muscle aches, particularly in your back and knees. Sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting or both, loss of appetite, dizziness, red eyes, face or tongue.
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