BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Ministry of Health is said to be analyzing the usual flow of travellers from the People's Republic of China to St. Kitts and Nevis to ensure that there is a reduced risk to public health by an outbreak of the deadly Novel Coronavirus in the Federation.
In a statement late today (Jan. 22), the Ministry of Health said that it remains in close communication with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and other regional and international health partners with regards to the Coronavirus.
There are at least over 300 confirmed cases of the virus in six countries, with the United States confirming its first case yesterday.
That person is said to have returned from a trip to Wuhan in China.
According to the Ministry of Health, the virus causes fever with some patients presenting with dyspnea or shortness of breath and pneumonic changes on the chest x-rays - which means infiltrative lesions involving both lungs.
The Ministry described evidence suggesting that person-to-person transmission is limited, which is consistent with what is already known about similar pathogens. However, it is noted that the natural history of the new infectious disease is still uncertain and unknown.
“Work is being done to decipher all the epidemiological data regarding this new pathogen,” the statement said.
The statement added: “As of Wednesday, January 22, 2020, six (6) countries have reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed cases of the new novel coronavirus (2019 - nCoV). So far, there are over 440 cases (suspected and confirmed) and the death toll stands at approximately nine (9).
“The outbreak began in a seafood and poultry market in Wuhan City, central China, which has a population of 11 million people. In that province, over 375 cases have been confirmed. The confirmed cases/patients outside of mainland China have all travelled from Wuhan City.”
Concerns continue to be raised around the world over it becoming a major global health scare.
To deal with the problem head-on, a number of countries have instituted screening measures at their international airports.
In the United States, for example, advisories were issued to persons travelling to and from China on direct and connecting flights, specifically the Wuhan area.
The United States also expanded its screening measures at airports in Atlanta and Chicago, the Center for Disease Control indicated.
“The Federal Ministry of Health continues to monitor this outbreak in mainland China and Asia. We are closely monitoring up-to-date information on this new illness and the epidemiological evolution of the situation. The Federation's Port Health team has been briefed regarding the interim guidance, inclusive of case definitions which were issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) two days ago on January 20, 2020.
“There is increased surveillance regarding any suspicious case of serious respiratory illness. The health team will continue to follow established protocols regarding the detection and management of severe acute respiratory infections of this nature,” the Ministry of Health in Basseterre said.
The Ministry also said the public would be updated on the viral infection as often as may be required.
