BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados well being authorities say they don’t have any credible data suggesting an outbreak of respiratory sickness in China involving varied viruses, together with Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).
HMPV is a virus that often causes signs just like a chilly. It emerged in China in December and induced a surge in respiratory infections, particularly amongst kids, resulting in overcrowded hospitals. It then unfold to different nations, together with India, the UK, and the US.
Responding to issues being raised nationally, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Kenneth George, mentioned that the Ministry of Well being and Wellness has acquired no stories from the Pan American Well being Group (PAHO) or the World Well being Group (WHO) to assist the claims of an uncommon enhance in respiratory sickness in China.
He mentioned that the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Well being Company (CARPHA) has indicated that there are at present no credible stories to assist the current claims.
Dr. George reminded the general public that throughout the winter interval, also called flu season, respiratory sickness is anticipated to extend among the many native inhabitants and guests.
He mentioned that is just like the findings in the US, the place they count on a rise in influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and different respiratory viruses.
Barbados often sees an uptick in influenza circumstances presently of 12 months, and the CMO mentioned that in keeping with CARPHA, on the finish of December 2024, respiratory sickness exercise within the Caribbean had a blended sample with a slight enhance in influenza H1N1, declining RSV, and continued low ranges of COVID-19.
The general public well being laboratory right here has detected a combination over the interval, together with influenza, RSV, rhinovirus (widespread chilly), and HMPV. These diseases have related flu-like signs, together with cough, fever, and nasal congestion. In some circumstances, they’ll result in bronchitis or pneumonia.
The Chief Medical Officer mentioned that the detection of respiratory ailments just isn’t a trigger for panic, indicating that Human Metapneumovirus is a typical virus often related to delicate sickness.
He mentioned that the very best methods individuals can shield themselves from changing into ailing or from avoiding spreading respiratory diseases are to observe good hygiene, together with frequent hand washing and sanitizing, overlaying sneezes or coughs, and holding regularly touched surfaces clear.
Dr. George mentioned additionally it is useful to keep away from shut contact with individuals who’re already sick or to remain at residence when ailing, noting that aged individuals, pregnant girls, and people with compromised immune programs ought to proceed to train care throughout flu season.
He mentioned the Ministry of Well being and Wellness would proceed to observe the scenario relating to the event of respiratory diseases nationally and globally and maintain the general public knowledgeable.
In the meantime, Jamaica has additionally indicated that the nation has no reputed circumstances of viruses.
“Jamaica is at present experiencing the rise in respiratory diseases usually seen presently of the 12 months,” the Ministry of Well being and Wellness mentioned in an announcement.
“Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic pressure 2009 is the predominant pressure (256 circumstances in 2024) in circulation in Jamaica. Adopted by Influenza A (H3N2) (62 circumstances in 2024) and some circumstances of Influenza B (5 circumstances in 2024). No Avian Influenza A (H5N1) case was detected in Jamaica in 2024,” the assertion added.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie mentioned whereas there was excessive respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) exercise from October (102 circumstances) to November (122 circumstances), this decreased to seven circumstances in December 2024.
“We are actually within the influenza season when a rise in circumstances is anticipated. Nevertheless, the figures align with what is anticipated presently of 12 months. Primarily based on routine surveillance stories, on the finish of 2024, weekly Extreme Acute Respiratory Sicknesses and Influenza-Like Sicknesses visits had been beneath alert and epidemic thresholds,” she added.
