Health officials ready to deal with any outbreak of swine flu

It is almost inevitable that the H1N1 virus (swine flu) will make its way to St Vincent and the Grenadines – but health officials remain calm in the face of that possibility.{{more}}

Just as Carnival celebrations here begin to intensify, cases of the virus have been confirmed in several Caribbean countries, including neighbouring Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

“We are realistic,” said Minister of Health Dr Douglas Slater. “We realize that there is a realistic chance that it will get here,” he added.

But even as the Chamber of Industry of Commerce issued a statement on Monday, June 15th, advising local businessmen to prepare for losses they may incur in the event that there is an outbreak, Dr Slater and his health officials believe that everything will be okay.

“We are very confident,” said Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr St Clair Thomas.

Dr Thomas said that the Ministry of Health has enough medication to adequately treat 750 infected persons, and they have identified a place at the hospital, where persons suspected of being infected, will be triaged and managed.

Dr Thomas also noted that the screening of incoming passengers at the ET Joshua airport, which began in late April, is still in place.

Both Dr Slater and the CMO told SEARCHLIGHT in separate interviews that the threat presented by the swine flu isn’t one that should cause much alarm.

“The flu is not that dangerous,” Dr Thomas said, noting that the initial panic and large number of deaths was due to the novelty of the outbreak and initial lack of preparedness in Mexico.

Meanwhile, the health officials dismiss any concerns of revelers who fear the possible cancellation of Vincy Mas.

Dr Slater said that while there is a “slightly enhanced risk” of the flu spreading because of the influx of people to the country during the season, “it is nothing to be worried about.”

“It is my own feeling that it (swine flu concerns) won’t stop the Carnival,” Dr Thomas also reassured.

Dr Slater urged residents to practice the usual proper hygiene, which is used to combat the normal flu.

This confidence notwithstanding, the Chamber of Industry of Commerce said that businesses must get financially prepared and consider additional staff in the event “there is an outbreak in St Vincent, losses to finance and running of day to day business is minimized,” the release said.

In his recent address to mark the beginning of the 2009 Hurricane Season, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves also urged port health personnel not to relax and to continue to be vigilant and “continue the surveillance necessary to keep this monster threat from reaching our shores.”

Meanwhile, while health officials say that children, the elderly and those with underlying health problems are at increased risk, at press time there was no Ministry of Education organized sensitization programme throughout the schools.

When SEARCHLIGHT contacted Deputy Chief Education Officer Luis de Shong on Tuesday, June 16th, he affirmed that the Ministry was holding “meaningful discussions” and noted that a potential swine flu outbreak is “a serious matter which will be addressed appropriately by the Ministry of Education.”

Schools will be closed on July 3rd, so any sensitization programme to encourage vigilance in children during their summer vacation will have to be implemented in less than two weeks’ time.