Jamaica warns of flu

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(OBSERVER OF JAMAICA) – The Ministry of Health has put the country on alert following a significant increase in the number of cases of fever and respiratory diseases (influenza type) since the beginning of the year.

Seasonal flu (the "flu") is an acute viral infection that is easily spread from person to person, mainly by coughing, sneezing and close contact.

Health Minister Christopher Tufton told Parliament this afternoon that data captured by the syndromic surveillance system from the country's 78 sentinel sites showed an upward trend for the syndrome.

"This may be a precursor to an increase in the flu," said Tufton, noting that trends were observed for three age groups: children under five, aged 5 to 59, and people 60 years old and over.

Kingston and St Andrew, Trelawny, Clarendon, Manchester, St Elizabeth and Portland are among the parishes that have shown an upward trend of the virus.

Tufton pointed out that influenza should be taken seriously because it could lead to pneumonia and blood infections, as well as diarrhea and convulsions in children.

The flu can also aggravate chronic health problems such as heart or lung disease. People most at risk for the dangerous complications of influenza include infants and young children, adults 65 years of age and over, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases or weakened immune systems.

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At the same time, the Minister announced that 21,900 doses of influenza vaccine had been purchased by the Department under the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Revolving Fund for Vaccines and distributed to health departments. parishes at the October 2018.

He also started vaccination of target groups in November 2018.

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