The Clinical Virology Laboratory in the Department of Microbiology, University of the West Indies is now equipped for testing dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses after a ten (10) million dollar upgrade was done to the Laboratory. A state of the art real-time thermal equipment was acquired with the capacity to test 96 samples and controls within 2 hours.  This machine...

The Portmore Municipal Council, in partnership with the Public Health Department and the National Solid Waste Management Authority, will conduct a cleanup exercise on Wednesday, October 15 in the Old Braeton area of Portmore, St. Catherine in the following communities: Reid’s Pen Gerbera Ave, Braeton Meadows McPherson Drive Dream Land Drive Cressor Lane Oleander Drive Then, the clean up effort...

As the Chikungunya virus continues to spread across the Caribbean, the Ministry of Health is urging persons to take precautionary measures to prevent further spread locally. Find out more in today’s edition

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health continues to maintain vigilance, through coordinated response and reporting in light of the Chikungunya outbreak impacting Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.The National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) has been activated to provide coordination and monitoring support. Additionally, the Ministry of Health remains the operational lead...

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says the citizens should assist in the campaign to control the Chikungunya disease, as it is impacting schools, homes, places of work, production and productivity. Addressing the official opening and handover ceremony for the upgraded Williamsfield Health Centre in Westmoreland on October 3, Dr. Ferguson emphasized that the effort to contain and control...

Prime Minister to lead national Chikungunya clean-up day activities; Caribbean Association of Housing Finance Institutions to host two-day conference in Jamaica, and Prime Minister commends Digicel Foundation.

The disease Chikungunya is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes that causes fever and severe joint pains. It is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquito Aedes aegypti mosquitoes spread or pass on the chikungunya virus. This type of mosquito also spreads the dengue virus. Symptoms The most common symptoms are fever and severe joint pains, often in the hands, wrist and...

The disease Chikungunya is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes that causes fever and severe joint pains. It is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquito Aedes aegypti mosquitoes spread or pass on the chikungunya virus. This type of mosquito also spreads the dengue virus. Messages from the Ministry of Health on Chikungunya  Symptoms The most common symptoms are fever and severe...

A male student of the Camperdown High School in Kingston, has reportedly died from a blow to his head. He received the injury while at home, allegedly recuperating from symptoms related to the mosquito borne Chikungunya Virus. According to reports from the Ministry of Education’s Region One office, the 19 year old Grade 13 student, identified as Sheckton Gordon, was...

The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment is taking proactive steps in preparing players in the hospitality trade for any effects from the Chikungunya virus, which has been affecting sections of the country. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, told JIS News that the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has been supporting a number of initiatives, being undertaken by the Ministry of...