BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ST. KITTS AND NEVIS is no longer untouched by the Influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Patrick Martin confirmed today (July 15) that the Federation has recorded its first case of the virus.
The confirmation is the result of a test administered by the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) on a sample from a 26-year-old female national of the Federation. While hesitant to divulge specific details of the case, Martin said the infected person was presently recuperating at home.
“The Ministry of Health received confirmation from CAREC yesterday (July 14) that the sample of a 26-year-old female national with no recent history of travel was positive for the influenza H1N1 virus,” said the CMO. “She was never admitted to the Joseph N. France Hospital, which means her symptoms have been generally mild and akin to normal flu-like symptoms.”
Calling the Federation’s first case “inevitable”, Martin warned that the openness of the economy to regional and international travel rendered persons susceptible to catching the disease. He was quick to stress, however, that the general public should not be worried, and noted several preventative measures they could take to protect themselves.
“The vast majority of cases have experienced mild illness with recovery in a few days without medication or hospitalisation. The virus is currently behaving like a regular seasonal influenza and there is absolutely no need for alarm or panic.”
He added, “The best way to avoid catching the disease is to make sure your body is healthy. Persons are encouraged to eat a balanced diet of three square meals, exercise regularly and practice proper hygiene, such as washing their hands after sneezing or coughing.
“The Ministry of Health and private sector personnel are available to give advice. Additionally, there is sufficient influenza medication to deal with severe cases of the disease.
According to Martin, the Federation has sent four samples suspected of containing the virus to CAREC, with the other three returning negative. Martin revealed the Ministry’s intentions to send an additional 20 specimens to the regional lab for testing in the immediate future.
The Influenza A(H1N1) virus, commonly referred to as swine flu, first gained worldwide attention after an April outbreak in Mexico saw thousands of persons become infected. Cases were subsequently reported in the United States before rapidly spreading around the globe.
With over 90 000 confirmed laboratory cases and 400 suspected deaths, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak a pandemic in June 2009. The number of WHO-confirmed cases in the Latin America and Caribbean region stands at over 1000.
