MoH investigating sudden deaths in Dominica

Dr. Johnson said investigations are ongoing
Dr. Johnson said investigations are ongoing

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. David Johnson has said the Ministry of Health (MoH) is investigation a series of sudden deaths in Dominica which have raised concerns among the populace.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, he said he is aware of the concerns especially at a time when the country has an outbreak of flu viruses.

“With or without flu we’ve been having deaths in Dominica and one of the things that we have decided to do, is do what we refer to as active investigation of all of the sudden deaths that we have occurring at this time,” he stated. “We can say categorically at this point that we have nobody dying from Swine Flu because there is no Swine Flu circulating.”

He pointed out that investigations are ongoing but also pointed out that some of the people who died had no flu at all.

“One of the things that we have done, and I will say this is, all the deaths that we have had we have documented those deaths, we have begun the process of even contacting each and every family member of those individuals to verify exactly whether these individuals were presented with or without flu symptoms’ whilst at their home,” he revealed. “We have found out that a number of these individuals who have died, particularly in the hospital did not have any flu-like symptoms in the community before.”

He explained that an autopsy will be done for all the sudden deaths and the public will be notified on the ongoing investigations.

“The pathologist goes in and examines every part of that person who died…take specimen and particular as it relates to the flu outbreak, we are taking samples which we are referring to our reference lab in Trinidad, the Caribbean Public Health Emergency for further investigation,” Johnson stated. “As soon as we can confirm what is the exact cause of death of these individuals, we will be getting back to the general public with regards to the ongoing investigations.”

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30 Comments

  1. November 25, 2016

    Great comment Zulu what about these missing this belong to the police what about all murder are the slove

  2. doctorp
    November 24, 2016

    H3N2 and H3N2V(Swine flu) are two different but similar viruses you should read here http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/h3n2v-basics.htm

    and read here

    http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs211/en/

    The Ministry of Health is not playing politics with Swine flu

  3. Educator
    November 24, 2016
  4. CRIME STOPPERZ
    November 24, 2016

    boss man call a spade a spade… WE HAVE SWINE FLU KILLING PEOPLE HERE… and allu ruling it as sudden death

  5. free
    November 23, 2016

    But Dr.Johnson now you speaking…?? Since all those mysterious deaths began you all should have been on top of it, 1. Bringing a special pathologist in. You all are not being fair and honest to Dominicans, but
    Always remember our good God knows all.

  6. November 23, 2016

    It seems like you all hear the cry of the Dominican people to please come out and say something with all these sudden death what a shame !!

    • indira Ghandi
      November 24, 2016

      Sir, you offering too many lame excuses.
      you talk like you talking to dotish people.
      you all need to face reality and man up.
      For a while now someone has been asking whether there is a serial killer in Dominica.
      whTever happens in the dark will be revealed.

  7. Marguerite
    November 23, 2016

    Without a toxicology report an autopsy is just about inconclusive. All deaths will be a result of failed organs. Individuals will have hearts, lungs, liver, etc. that are twice and thrice the normal size. They need to start adding a toxicology report to the coroner’s inquest.

  8. The Truth Be Told
    November 23, 2016

    Thank you Dr. Johnson. This is an excellent initiative. We do know some people die older, younger and still younger.
    However some could die of negligence of the body; not eating, drinking nutritiously, not getting ample rest and sleep.
    For the employed, some do overwork with no time or very little time for themselves to enjoy leisure time and life in general away from work. Some take home their work, always thinking and talking of work which could also be due to work pressure.
    Our bodies are not as strong as we think. Some jobs are stressful. The boss/superior could be bossy, if you know what I mean. Domestic problems could add to it, eventually taking their toll on the body resulting in anxiety, heart attacks and aneurysms.
    It also depends on what they may have eaten and drank or what they were given to eat and drink.
    First, the autopsy should reveal the cause of death. Then, if need be, further investigation of the body tissues should be conducted.

  9. eyes wide shut
    November 23, 2016

    and the list goes on. what about de m……?

  10. November 23, 2016

    Proactive not reactive.just a thought ministry of health.

  11. May
    November 23, 2016

    Said MoH is going to investigate the sudden deaths. So are you saying that all those who have been buried, because most have been buried, bodies are going to be exhumed to carry out investigations?

  12. Dr. Jones Pelier-Gomez (ex Colihaut), PhD
    November 23, 2016

    The great culling has begun.

    In essence, Dominica is broke and the only revenue it achieves is from handouts from the EU, the Chinese and the like, most of which are in the form of bribes and never get to the populace anyway.

    The only export income Dominica has as such is the sale of its passports and here comes the kickers:-

    1) CBI passport holders are rich, they don’t need looking after and don’t really care about Dominica. In any event, they don’t live here, they just need the passport to manage their tax affairs;
    2) Because of 1) above, native, resident Dominicans are 100% redundant as Dominica can thrive without them;
    3) CBI passport holders in short time will become more in numbers than resident Dominicans.

    Think hard about point three above if you are living in Dominica, then take a deep breath, put your head between your legs and slowly kiss your behind goodbye.

    Mark my words, this will all come to pass.

    • The Truth Be Told
      November 23, 2016

      As intelligent as you may be and you think you are, unless you are a fortune teller, a seer, performing voodoo, you can predict it. Otherwise, all else is speculation.
      Bearer of bad news, did you have to make such a statement which is irrelevant to this article? It makes no sense. You sound like a bitter person.
      Some people cannot stick to the subject matter. They must include what has absolutely nothing to do with it.

      • Dr. Skerritt is Clever
        November 24, 2016

        Truth be Told, think of how Dr. Skerritt won the last election – the flights back ‘home’ to vote? Hmmmnnn..

        You can bury your head in the sand my ignorant friend but the reality is that now over 40% of voting Dominicans are CBI holders. This means that Skerritt and his cabal via the CBI program can rule over us forever! And guess what, it is ignoramuses like you that allowed this to happen. Yon never saw this coming and never will until you are left to rot in your petrocasa.

        Now, as Dr. Gomez said, take a deep breath, put you head between your lets and then slowly kiss your behind goodbye :)

      • The Truth Be Told
        November 24, 2016

        You who say you are Clever. What have all your comments have to do with this article?
        I am not part and parcel of your innuendos and speculations. Leave me out of it. I have no time for that; only for better things.
        You are the ignorant one. If others do not agree with you, they are ignorant. Oh yea? I know better than that. That is your funeral. You spend your life consistently criticizing, being negative. What type of life is that?.
        Life is worth living and too short to be concerned about your garbage. Keep it to yourself. Let me enjoy my life as I have been doing. Thanks be to God.

      • The Truth Be Told
        November 24, 2016

        Clever, you are one disrespectful person whom I would not want to associate with. Anyone who could make such comments was brought up in the gutter, live in the gutter and your whole life is one of a gutter. You projected it very well.
        It is not to your benefit to insult people and those you do not know and a fellow Dominican at that. You are a low-down person. You are judged by your words. You will pay for it.
        I am not interested in your type of politics. You are bitter and live a bitter life. Anyone who wishes evil for others, evil will follow them. They will always be miserable people. Too bad for you! What you sow you reap. What goes around comes around. Your day is coming. :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:

    • Annon
      November 24, 2016

      No, it will not. Scare tactics will easier come to pass. (I too hope they use CBI money most effectively, not just political lip service.)
      If not for the Chinese where will you-all turn for money? Traditional means have not benifited us. Grow the economy, yes; even the white-sand islands are unable to grow economy the traditional way, except St.Marten which is also subsidized by the Dutch. You are out of financial ideas. Yours is too simple, a recipe for financial disaster.

    • hmmm
      November 24, 2016

      bull

  13. just me
    November 23, 2016

    The hospital killing people. What else is new?

    • The Truth Be Told
      November 23, 2016

      What they need are specialized doctors.

  14. My damn take
    November 23, 2016

    I will go with what was previously reported because that’s what makes sense to many Dominicans, in all seven health districts.

    • Marguerite
      November 23, 2016

      What was reported?

    • Dominican
      November 24, 2016

      Many americans went with trump too go figure

  15. Shaka Zulu
    November 23, 2016

    It is about time. I was waiting to see how long it would take the MOH to say something. Looking to hear conclusions.

    • The Truth Be Told
      November 23, 2016

      They gave us time to voice our opinion, pro and con, to know what we had to say about it. You know they read the comments or have their assistants read them, make notes and report what is of consequence to them. This is why readers must write what makes sense and information which may be helpful. All of us have a different opinion and suggestion which could be helpful, be that it is stated in a different manner.
      I have considered, this Website should be utilized for sensible discussions; not mapuis (mapwee) – please inform me which one of the patois – creole word is correct. I have seen it written both ways. I never wrote patois, as it was called in those days.
      Pertaining to the above, this is why we are allowed to comment. Sensible ideas could be taken into consideration and utilized. I also like to read sensible ones.

      • Shaka Zulu
        November 24, 2016

        You making absolutely no sense. You really think the MOH was using comments on DNO to decide to do investigation?. First of all every sudden death should be investigated by doctor through autopsy. Based on the results and cause of death the MOH should determine if there was a pattern or similarities and determine wider investigation on findings. I hope the autopsy also include tissue and liver samples for toxicology testing. To say they waiting for public opinion to do investigation would be very stupid. There responsibility is to safeguard the public first based on sound scientific principles and practices and based on facts and evidence, not public opinions.

      • The Truth Be Told
        November 24, 2016

        When I write it is not nonsense. People must learn to curb their unbecoming words and communicate/discuss respectfully. They must be careful what they say to others. I know what I stated and why I stated it.
        I further stated they do read the articles and comments that the Media post and print. As to whether they take it into consideration, it is all left to them. I have a feeling they do. They are not the only ones in Dominica. All governments have their assistants who listen to, read the current news and report to them. They make notes. I am well-versed in this.
        I do not comment on DNO to demean anyone and insult them and, without reason. This is not my character.. If it is better, I will not respond to certain people’s comments.
        .

  16. The stolen Cookie Jar-who stole it?
    November 23, 2016

    Dr. do we have a competent ministry of health or police that can conduct an honest investigation into the series of sudden deaths or anything in Dominica? I mean everything in Dominica is sealed with a RED Skerrit tape of FAIR, and as a result not one damn thing can be truly and honestly investigated so stop fooling the people. A minors confession to the police was leaked and Skerrit had an inspector to investigate it. What’s the finding? Skerrit’s info was leaked and someone was asked to investigate it. In fact the police turned Mr. Linton’s house upside down in search of the offender. But when the found out who did it, what did Skerrit say? Then a year now since Skerrit paid Gloria to investigate the cause of school drop out. Any findings? What about the funds that went missing at the school from the east? Didn’t the deceased tell Q 95 that the ministry of health was investigating it and they moved an individual from the school to help with investigation? That’s dead too, right?

    • jerry james
      November 24, 2016

      :roll:

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