Antigua and Barbuda confirm 15 cases of CHIKV

By Caribbean Medical News Staff

Is there a public health crisis in the region?

CARPHA has said that they will be able to contain and manage the mosquito-borne illness chikungunya that is spreading rapidly across the region. Just recently the regional public health body hosted a Symposium on the subject in Trinidad. CARPHA’s public awareness campaign has been aggressive in its attempts to get the region on board to take the illness seriously and to eradicate breeding sites of the mosquito that causes both dengue and chikungunya.

To date, Antigua and Barbuda has confirmed 15 laboratory-confirmed cases and 91 suspected cases of chikungunya and the Ministry of Health is intensifying its vector control programme with immediate effect according to press reports.

Critical to its control, according to the Ministry is the intensification of public awareness campaigns so that the public can take ownership of its eradication of breeding sites, intense fogging and the destruction of breeding sites as well as inspection of premises. According to the Ministry, The Vector Control Department continue to target areas with the highest concentration or risk or mosquito infestation or chickungunya risk or both.

The chikungunya virus is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and infected individuals experience symptoms including sudden fever, joint pain in both the wrists and ankles, severe muscle pain, severe headache and a rash.

According to reports, “residents can also expect increased visits to residential and commercial properties by vector control officers who will inspect their premises for current and possible mosquito breeding sites and provide advice and immediate measures to eliminate such sites.”

Residents are encouraged to continue to work with the ministry of health in controlling mosquito’s eradication in Antigua and Barbuda.

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