Chief Medical Officer, Dr. David Johnson, has told the Dominican public that there is no need to panic due to reported cases of Swine Flu in the region.
There have been 29 confirmed cases, and three deaths, of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus – also known as swine flu – in Trinidad and Tobago up to December 15.
Neighbouring island, Grenada, has placed its disease surveillance system on alert in light of the Trinidad cases.
But in an interview with state-owned DBS Radio, Dr. Johnson said there is no data in the region which currently shows that there seems to be an outbreak or an increase in numbers of Swine Flu, hence there is not need for panic in Dominica.
“There is no need for us to be panicking in Dominica at this stage,” he stated.
He said he has been in touch with the Caribbean Public Health Agency to confirm what is in fact happening.
“And the information which I have received is that there is no data which they have to show that countries within the Caribbean have seen an alarming increase number of Swine Flu,” he pointed out.
In September 2009, the Ministry of Health reported an outbreak of Swine Flu in Dominica with 47 confirmed cases. In January 2010, Dr. Johnson said the virus was no longer a “major challenge” or concern for Dominica, and that all the 47 cases had recuperated.
“We did indicate that we had Swine Flu, and those persons recovered very successfully,” he said during the DBS interview. “At the time when Swine Flu was about to come to Dominica there was a lot of panic, but Swine Flu has basically now become like any other common viral illness.”
Despite this, Dr. Johnson said that Dominicans have to be conscious of viral diseases.
“Viral illness can kill persons but it’s not the situation where you have everybody who is presented Swine Flu and Swine Flu is just massively killing persons all over the place, that is absolutely not the case,” he noted. “You have to be cautious of getting any viral illness just as how you have to be cautious in terms of protection yourself against the Zika Virus, a viral disease that is spread through Aedes Aegypti mosquito.”
Swine flu is a relatively new strain of an influenza virus that causes symptoms similar to the regular flu. It originated in pigs, but is spread primarily from person to person.
Symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.
I asked my undergraduate students to discuss the differences between an outbreak and an epidemic. At that basic academic level, students were successfully able to distinguish between the two. Yes Dr. Johnson, you must be cautious with your knowledge dissemination as based on the data, there is indeed an outbreak in Trinidad and an epidemic in the Caribbean. It’s always wise to check with an epidemiologist or other specialist before making public statements….
Has the doctor heard of precautionary measures. Why not give proper prevention information. Symptoms, when someone needs to see doctor so as to prevent outbreaks therefore reducing the severity of this problem. Are they waiting for the h1n1 to arrive and then act crazy. Have they forgotten the old saying. (LE BARB COMAWARD AU BRELE WOUSA SAR). Is the health ministry putting its action force together?
That was the same thing that was said bout the last wide spread mosquito disease…
NO NEED TO WORRY
What you want them to tell you? Worry? Have u ever heard a leader or emergency services say worry?
Instead of tell people to “be cautious”, he ought to extend that to advise people on the proper protocol to protect themselves. These include frequent washing of hands, using a disposable towel over the mouth when coughing or sneezing, not reporting to work if people show symptoms of the flu. These are the things he need to highlight. But just telling people to “protect themselves” might mean something to some people, but is meaningless to many others.
Yes but that is also the duty of the Environmental Health Department. Where they at?