As scientists worldwide express concern over a new strain of the bird flu virus in China, Dominica’s Ministry of Health says it has in place a robust pandemic influenza plan to address possible infections on the island.
The World Health Organisation said there have been 126 cases of the virus with all but one being diagnosed in China. So far 24 people have died from the disease.
Reports indicate that the virus, known as H7N9, is being transmitted to humans only from chickens. However, concerns have been raised that it could mutate to a form where it could pass from one person to the next.
Scientists say that five mutations are necessary for that to happen and H7N9 has two of them already. If that occurs, there are worries that it could spread worldwide with devastating effects.
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has put regional countries on alert and Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Johnson, says while Dominica has not seen any confirmed cases of the virus, “we are preparing for the worst.”
“We are fine tuning the pandemic influenza plan since the occurrence of the pandemic flu years ago,” he said. “We are continuing to revisit the plan and we are preparing for the worst.”
He noted that ‘front line workers’ have been educated on spotting cases of flu-like symptoms, which is one of the signs of H7N9. “We continue to educate our front line workers in terms of surveillance and in what they need to do if they encounter anyone presenting flu-like symptoms, especially if they have visited China,” he said.
In April, the Ministry said it was working with other institutions in refining Dominica’s response if the virus is detected on the island. “The Ministry of Health continues to work very closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and other departments, including the Office of Disaster Management in refining and executing national plans to deal with the prevention and control of influenza including Bird Flu,” it said in a release.
Dominican , put your money on a side, so you can paid the air ambulance to take you to martinique , or you will die , It is clear in Dominica is only the poor, the less fortunate that must perper for Dominica hospital inardiquact , malfunction flu and does in high office of the land, have arelawance, and are ready for air martinique ambulance. Bird flu. While the rest of us are left to die. Dominican they are ready, are you
Dominica’s Ministry of Health says it has in place a robust pandemic influenza plan to address possible infections on the island, last time dem fellas say not to come to the hospital, stay at your home and call in
You think we forget!
The scientists developed it in a laboratory. Where do you think that these things spring from that were never around before?
well d.n.o if is so u disguising a bird to talk about bird flu .awa we.use a sick looking fowl instead not that healthy looking fowl there
That look more like a chicken to me…..
Let us pray and hope Dominica will be spared this bird flu disease.
Some of us find every no matter how remote to cry down Dominica. Enjoy yourselves.
They always say they are well prepared, but when it comes down to the real thing….. its always another story.
How true. Other governments make the identical statement. What country is really prepared for an epidemic? It can occur unknowingly to others who could contract it. It spreads like wildfire.
With all this concern about the Bird Flu and it being so prominent in China, can someone tell me why is the government still sending Dominicans to China at this time to study? Even the Chinese are offering courses at this time, based on the risk factor involved, we should be able to say “no we are not prepared to put our people in harms way. This is serious business.BIRD FLU is no joke. It is always said that Dominica is prepared but infact we are never ready.
And why are they allowing folks from China in at this time and are they properly checked out do they all have medical records to show health department priority is to protect the people of D’ica at all cost because bird flu is travelling .
“As scientists worldwide express concerns over a new strain of the bird flu virus in China, Dominica’s Ministry of Health says it has in place a robust pandemic influenza plan to address possible infections on the island.”
Well here we go again, another topic regarding the ministry of health!
Yesterday, I commented on the constant boast of Julius Timothy, stating over, and over that Dominica’s health system is ready and equip to deal with every, and all medical emergencies, even when the issue (disease) is pandemic.
Now; DNO did not all the comments I made regarding Timothy’s departure to Martinique to secure better treatment than he expected from an institution where he Timothy is at the apex of our medical system. If I was the minister of health, and I got ill, if I have the confidence in a system which I serve as the head, the top brass, as a government minister, I would consider it my duty to display my confidence by submitting myself to the practices of the medical doctors of whom I appointed.
Anything less would be a betrayal of my confidence in a medical system of I am the head!
So, it seems to me as if the hospitals in Dominica are where the poor go to spend their last days before their demised, while the head of the department fly’s out not risking his health, and life to a system of which he constantly boast is fully equipped, and ready for all emergencies!
You see what is good for the goose should be good for the gander.
While most of the contributors are sending out prayers, and get well comments to Timothy, opinions such as mine should be heard, if you say to me ” this is poison drink it death will not come to me” the best way to prove that you are certain that I will not die from the poison you handed me, is to drink some of it, thus I will have no fear of drinking what you offered me.
If the Minister of Health refuses to be treated at a hospital which he has every control over, and gives the nation the assurance that the hospital is capable to deal with all emergencies, no matter what, and when he collapse in his office, the chance he gets he took off to another island for treatment, why should any other Dominican be subjected to the treatments at the PMH.
I have a problem with his actions!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Pray