Health Ministry urges personal responsibility on incidence of Swine flu locally
Vanassa McKenzie / Our Today
The Ministry of Health and Wellness advises the general public to adhere to established protocols to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses such as swine flu following reports of an outbreak at the Kingston Central jail.
The health ministry says the Kingston and St Andrew Health Department was notified of a cluster of respiratory infections at the Kingston Central police lockup and the matter was investigated.
Six detainees at the facility were reportedly confirmed to have swine flu while others were displaying flu symptoms.
“Respiratory samples showed the presence of Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic strain of 2009 (pdm09), which has been circulating in Jamaica since the influenza pandemic of 2009,” the ministry said.
Swine flu, according to the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza in pigs and humans.
The symptoms include fever, aching muscles, sore throat, chills, watery or red eyes, runny nose and others.
The health ministry says the country is not on an alert for an outbreak because the country has been below the seasonal levels for influenza.
The flu season generally begins in October of each year and can continue as late as May.
“While we are now at the end of the flu season, respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 and Influenza A (H1N1), will remain in circulation. The Ministry therefore continues to advise members of the public to adhere to all protocols to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses. These include handwashing and sanitization, wearing of masks, and the practice of sneezing and coughing etiquette, especially when in public spaces,” the health ministry urged.
Persons are being urged to avail themselves of the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, especially the members of vulnerable populations, notably the elderly, the young, pregnant women, and healthcare workers.
Individuals who are ill with mild symptoms are encouraged to practice mask-wearing, hand washing, hand sanitizing and stay away from other persons, especially vulnerable individuals. They are also encouraged to drink fluids and have adequate rest.
Others with persistent or worsening symptoms are being asked to seek medical attention to aid in early treatment.
The health ministry is also urging persons to practice a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, eating healthy and having adequate rest as this will boost the immune system making it less likely to be affected by the circulating viruses.
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