The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), which is mandated to test and confirm the instances of chikungunya virus throughout the region, has reportedly stopped testing, owing to the overwhelming number of cases in T&T. The chairman of the Diego Martin Regional Corporation (DMRC), Darryl Smith, says 34 cases have so far been confirmed in Diego Martin, while six cases were confirmed in Belmont several weeks ago.
Smith has warned that there are “many other suspected cases with people displaying similar symptoms” in Diego Martin. The majority have been reported in the Covigne, Rich Plain and Bagatelle areas. CARPHA's regional map on its Web site shows only five confirmed cases in T&T.
The principal medical and public health officer attached to the corporation, Dr Anthony Chang Kit, said information from the Health Ministry revealed that “CARPHA has stopped testing for the chikungunya virus and dengue fever because there are so many cases in this country.” He added: “Once you have high fever, rash and joint pains, you are assumed to have chikungunya until told otherwise. There are many more cases than the 34 already confirmed.
“In my private practice, up to yesterday (Tuesday), I saw six cases of clinical chikungunya and the cases are mounting every day.” Meanwhile, Chang Kit said collaborative efforts with the Insect Vector Control Division had proven useful as source-reduction exercises and fogging operations continued throughout the area. He was addressing reporters during a press conference at the corporation’s office at North Post Road, Diego Martin, yesterday,
The exact number of chikungunya cases in the country could not be ascertained yesterday as Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan and Chief Medical Officer Dr Colin Furlonge were unreachable. Text messages remained unanswered while calls to their cellphones were directed to voicemail. CARPHA director Dr James Hospedales was also said to be busy and messages were not returned.
But CARPHA is expected to host a press conference today to update the public on the region's preparedness for the Ebola virus.
Anti-chikungunya drive
Seeking to assure residents of Diego Martin that the corporation was taking proactive steps to stem the further spread of the virus, Smith said it had recently bought two hand-held spraying machines for $14,000 and was acquiring a truck-mounted machine.
Referring to the Health Ministry’s announcement last week that it was having problems with its spraying unit and equipment, Smith said while spraying for mosquitoes was not the responsibility of the corporation, it was prepared to take whatever measures were necessary to protect the people of the area.
Urging residents to be aware that spraying alone was not the answer, Smith appealed to home-owners, businesses, tenants and others to embark on a clean-up campaign to rid their surroundings of anything that could be a possible breeding site for mosquitoes.
Unveiling the public education blitz which the corporation had rolled out, Smith said in addition to town meetings, the corporation had:
• Put advertising tips on every electronic billboard in the area.
• Advised residents, via a mike system daily, on steps they could take to protect themselves.
• Printed and distributed flyers on the symptoms and medical care necessary.
• Updated social media sites.
• Launched an education caravan which will visit different communities weekly.
• Bought the mosquito cream odomos along with bed nets for distribution to both young and elderly residents.
Adding that many of the nets were donated by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management, Smith said corporation staff were also being looked after as it was important to ensure their safety, while they helped to stop the virus from spreading. Staff had been instructed to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to work, to minimise the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes while on the job, he added.
The corporation's disaster and emergency response units have also been put on standby, while efforts are being made to set up a hotline for people to call in concerning the virus. Smith said more than 60 workers from various departments had been deployed to clean and clear drains and discussions were continuing to bring in additional workers to assist with cleaning empty lots and abandoned structures.
Efforts are also being made to spray schools in the area on an afternoon to reduce the threat to students. Stressing that the corporation was not assuming the ministry's responsibility, Smith questioned if his constituency was being sidelined because of their political affiliation with the Opposition Peoples National Movement. “I am not saying they have not done work, they have been spraying but we want more,” he said.