This honourable House will recall that on June 11, 2009, the World Health Organisation declared Phase 6 of its influenza pandemic alert, signaling that the world was at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic. Phase 6 means that sustained community transmission of the new Influenza A(H1N1) virus is occurring in more than one (1) WHO Region and that a global pandemic is now officially declared.
Since that designation Jamaica has experienced an increase in confirmed cases moving from 11 on June 11, 2009, to 19 today. The affected parishes are Kingston and St. Andrew (4) St. Catherine (4), St. Mary (3), Trelawny (2), St. James (3), Westmoreland (1) and Manchester (2).
Mr. Speaker:
A major development concerns 13% of one school population in Manchester showing flu-like symptoms. There was only one confirmed case at this school.
The latest four confirmed cases including the one confirmed case at the Manchester school would indicate that Jamaica now has local transmission.
This development is not unexpected and is in keeping with the pattern of transmission globally. We expect that we will continue to see an increase in the number of confirmed cases, especially in light of the mobility of the Jamaican people within and without our borders. This is also a time when Jamaicans travel abroad for holiday.
Mr. Speaker:
The Ministry of Health’s surveillance is robust and is providing us with up to date information on early detection of cases. We continue to follow international guidelines in the testing and treatment of persons with flu-like symptoms. Samples for testing are being sent to the National Influenza Centre at the University of the West Indies and CAREC which is our regional centre in Trinidad and Tobago. We are supported by the Pan American Health Organisation that has provided a new machine and reagents for testing.
Mr. Speaker
I would like to assure the nation that we have adequate supplies of drugs which have been bolstered by the Government of Mexico and the Pan American Health Organisation. We have seven thousand five hundred (7,500) treatment doses which exceed the international standards for stockpiles for countries such as Jamaica. If additional supplies are required the Ministry has access to the World Health Organisation stockpile for the Region of the Americas.
I wish to assure the people of Jamaica that the Ministry of Health is managing the situation and will keep the public informed in a timely manner. We reiterate the following advice to the public:
Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand sanitiser, cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, avoid contact with persons with flu-like symptoms, avoid intimate contact including hand shaking and kissing.
Anyone with flu-like symptoms is being advised to drink lots of fluids and rest until the symptoms are completely gone. They can take regular influenza medication. Aspirin must not be taken. If symptoms are severe or persist, they should visit their doctor, health centre or hospital.
In concluding Mr. Speaker:
The H1N1 virus is a public health threat of national concern. We are not taking this matter lightly. We have a team of competent public health specialists and managers who have a fine reputation nationally and internationally for successfully managing public health risks. The country and our people are in good hands. We urge our people to pay attention to the advice of the public health team to cooperate with us as we seek to minimize and control the spread and reduce the impact on the activities of our people and on sectors.
I will continue to keep the Parliament updated.
Thank You.