Chief Medical Officer: H1N1 will not stop Culturama

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER (CMO) in the Ministry of Health of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Patrick Martin said the recent discovery of the first case of H1N1, or swine flu, in the Federation will not stop Culturama 35.

Dr. Martin was responding to a question posed during a press conference at the Administration Building in Charlestown on Tuesday (July 1) to announce that tests done on a 26-year-old female in St. Kitts had proven positive. 

According to the CMO, H1N1 is currently behaving like a regular seasonal flu so there is no need for alarm or panic. He explained that it was because of the mild nature of the virus that there was no need to believe that Culturama was in any danger of being affected. 

The government of Trinidad and Tobago recently cancelled the inaugural Caribbean Games there due to an outbreak of H1N1 but Dr. Martin explained, without elaborating, that those circumstances were different. 

The Ministry of Health was notified on Tuesday of the positive test on the woman who has no history of recent travel. 

A release from the Ministry said the sample was sent to Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC) from the laboratory at the Joseph N. France General Hospital.  The person was not admitted to hospital but was given the necessary home care advice.
Dr. Martin said on Wednesday that four other samples were sent for testing and the Ministry’s actions were geared to treat those cases that pop up. 

“People come in (the country) with no visible signs of the virus…so we have to treat them as we see them.” 

The CMO said the Ministry has sufficient medication for the population to deal with the current strain of virus. He warned however, against persons trying to seek medication without a prescription explaining that the virus could become resistant to the drug and this could cause problems later when the “big one” comes.

Dr. Martin also reiterated points made in an earlier press release by the Ministry of Health which gave the following advice to the public:

1. Persons with flu-like illness i.e. fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, aches and pains, and diarrhea, must stay at home and contact the nearest community health center or their personal physician for advice. 

2. Persons with severe flu-like illness i.e. difficulty breathing, weakness, and dehydration, must present to hospital for immediate medical attention.

3. To prevent the spread of influenza and common cold viruses, the message - cover your cough, cover your sneeze, and wash your hands with soap and water.

4. Good health is protected by keeping the body’s natural defences strong.  The formula is:

a. Eat a balanced diet of three (3) meals per day based on fresh local fruits, vegetables and ground provisions;
b. Stay well hydrated with water or homemade beverages;

c. Exercise – brisk walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, aerobics, dance, sports;

d. Rest – Minimum of six (6) hours for adults, eight (8) hours for young teens, and at least ten (10) hours for infants and children up to primary school age; 

e. Personal hygiene and general cleanliness at all times and in all places; and

f. Positive mental attitude.

Also present at the press conference were Medical Officer in Nevis, Dr. Judy Nisbett; Acting Chief of Staff of the Alexandra Hospital, Dr. John Essien; and Health Coordinator in the Nevis Island Administration, Nicole Slack-Liburd.