A nine-year-old girl from St. Lucia has died after contracting the H1N1 virus, commonly known as the Swine Flu, prompting an investigation and health officials calling on residents to be vigilant and remain on guard during the wet season.
“Persons will recall that the island had a huge H1N1 swine flu outbreak in 2009, with thousands of children affected, and we actually had to shut down some schools because of the outbreak,” Chief Medical Officer. Merlene Fredericks said.
She said despite that outbreak, no deaths were reported.
“So we are right now investigating the situation,” she stated. “We want to ensure that the child in particular, didn’t have any underlying medical conditions which may have predisposed to the outcome in that particular child.”
She called on St. Lucians to get vaccinated and placed emphasis on those at risk, especially the elderly, the youth, health care workers, and people with underlying medical conditions.
She noted that flu shots are available free of charge at wellness centers and there is enough medication on the island for treating the disease.
The H1N1 virus, often referred to as the swine flu virus, is transmitted from person to person via droplets and small particles produced when infected people cough or sneeze. Symptoms are similar to those of the seasonal flu and include: cough, fever, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue.
Swine meat is not good for you. GOD is warning you all and all you still harden.
Just so you know South City, one does not contract the virus by eat the meat of the animal.
As an occasional Caribbean visitor I try to keep abreast of flues and other diseases on the islands.
It was sad to learn of a nine year old girl from St. Lucia dying after contacting the swine flue virus.
I appreciate the fact that Chief Medical Officer Merlene Fredricks is knowledgeable and well prepared.
Children and the elderly, as well of those whose immune systems are compromised are especially vulnerable. They should be kept away from – and out of the company of – persons who are infected because of the manner in which the disease is spread. I wonder if travel agencies are making this information known to their clients when a disease is in a locality they wish to visit. I have never been briefed by a travel agent about a potential danger but I think once an agent did read to me from a computer screen that there was no medical problem in the country.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.