Health officials in Dominica are “worried and concerned” over cases of tuberculosis (TB) which is presently affecting a number of persons in a small enclave in the Baytown, Potterville area.
Chief Environmental Health Officer Anthony Scotland confirmed to DNO that “there is an enclave area in Pottersville which has tuberculosis and is of major concern to us.”
A few individuals familiar with the situation, and who must remain anonymous, called it “alarming”.
“I can’t give you the exact figures but I can tell you that it’s alarming and they have informed PAHO who is now on island assisting,” one person said.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. David Johnson was quick to point out that “we don’t have any tuberculosis outbreak” but he said “we are concerned” and “have taken the necessary steps to deal with the matter” in Pottersville.
“In the Pottersville area, we are very concerned about the situation. We realize the nature of the community and our public health nurses and doctors have been working very closely with that community,” he stated. “We have been addressing that situation over the last two to three years and as a normal procedure, we do contact tracing, meaning that we go back and trace persons that you are close to and have been in close contact with. What we have done is that we have established all the contacts of the individual who had the disease in 2013. We have done a Mantoux test.
The Mantoux test or Mendel-Mantoux test (also known as the Mantoux screening test, tuberculin sensitivity test, Pirquet test, or PPD test for purified protein derivative) is a screening tool for tuberculosis (TB) Having done that we have taken certain steps.
Johnson was very diplomatic and cautious and evasive in his responses to questions posed by the DNO.
“We do not have an outbreak of tuberculosis and infact the numbers are declining from 2012 where we had 6; 2013, 6, 2014, 1 and 2015, 1,” he said.
However, DNO can confirm reports over the past 23 years that 13 people have come down with the disease and at least three of them were resistant to available drugs. One person was admitted for over one year at the hospital. Currently, one person remains active with the disease since the others have been treated and four have since died
According to the CMO, in 2013 the island recorded two deaths from tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis mostly affects adults in their most productive years. However, all age groups are at risk. Over 95% of cases and deaths are in developing countries. It is caused by bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, that most often affect the lungs. Tuberculosis is curable and preventable.
It is spread from person to person through the air.
The Ministry of Health..has to start seriously screening persons…and it should be a court order……the older folks will tell you that WATERCRESS is a healer for the lungs….this is serious
Next outbreak in Pound, right below P.M.’s office. Money going to the poor in Punjab but our own living in appalling condition in Dominica, right under our nose. Tell me, how many people still living back of yard and using potcham and pail?? You don’t want to talk about that or hear about that? Good, but is like covering bad spots on a lady’s skin with powder and make up. It is still there and ignoring it only making it worse.
If they could not get one bed to put one man what about if many people must be hospitalized at the same time? The situation in dominica is quite alarming, TB can be transmitted through the air, people especially around that area should see a doctor as soon as possible in order to avoid spreading this problem because it is contagious ,avoid sneezing or coughing close to others,never eat nor drink from used utensils,,hope this will not escalate…
There are communities in Dominica where TB is endemic, so the ministry of health must have fallen asleep to have this spread to this area in the city.
TB is contagious. Those affected should be quarantined. Otherwise it will spread.
Lack of proper nutrition and unsanitary conditions are the main causes.
Milk, cheese, vitamin C, citrus fruits, other fruits, root vegetables and others, legumes – beans and peas are essential for proper health.
Do not forget to drink water and fruit juices, the latter, preferably freshly made. Avoid packaged and processed foods. Use sugar and salt sparingly.
I hope in time those who have contracted it will be healed.
On another matter, marijuana and the likes do not provide proper nutrition, not one bit of it. Those who constantly ingest it stand a good chance of contracting TB; also cancer
Interestingly, I read on a health Website, “Never go hungry.” This does not mean that people have to eat a lot and unhealthily. Eat healthy, in moderation. Do not allow yourself to go hungry and for hours. In so doing this could prevent certain diseases as also TB.
We are what we eat.
hope allu say is by the bay and not potters self eh
TB is contagious but not that easily transferred from person to person unless they live in close proximity for a prolonged period of time. T.B. is primarily a disease of poverty, overcrowding , inadequate sanitary provisions and poor diet, affecting especially the young and elderly who’s immunity is more easily weakened. I suggest the authorities have a close look at the socio-economic circumstances of that cluster in Pottersville and take the appropriate action to remedy the situation to prevent a spread to the general population.
All you need is one infected person and confined living conditions to spread this disease. It is a disease of overcrowding for a long period of time.
too many IET
PLAGUES UPON PLAGUES,OUR COUNTRY IS DOOMED.
Sour sour lime