Regional corporations are mobilising personnel and resources in response to Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh’s declaration of a national public health emergency over the Zika virus. Word is that members of the business community have also offered support to block the spread of the mosquito borne virus in the country.
Chairman of the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation Henry Awong said operations within that region will be intensified this week. However, he admitted they are hampered by several problems, including the non-renewal of contracts for litter wardens which expired on January 28.
“We had 14 litter wardens and these wardens, although they don’t have the authority to enter one’s premises, had the authority to serve notices to take people to court once they are found violating the Anti-Litter Act.
“They were very critical in source reduction but since their contracts have not been renewed we are heavily utilising the 14 health control assistants, who are all out there on the fields distributing flyers and educating the public,” Awong said.
“We have the public health officers out there but it is only the inspectors who can take action against people who defy the public heath ordinance but we are trying our best to do our part. It’s all a collaborative effort in this fight against the Zika virus.”
Awong appealed to tyre dealers to be more responsible by properly discarding old, used tyres.
“People dump them all over the place and it is one of the things that really harbour mosquitos. Normal garbage trucks cannot pick up the tyres, so to these tyre dealers who are the alleged main culprits, they must be clamped down on by the relevant authorities. There must be a holistic fight” he said.
Awong said he has given assurances by officials of the Insect Vector Control Division (IVCD) that they are equipped and ready to assist regional corporations across the country.
Chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation Terry Rondon told the T&T Guardian he is taking the Zika threat very seriously and will be implementing stringent measures throughout the region.
“I plan to have a national clean up day where all garbage will be picked up. All premises, roadsides, vacant lots will be cleaned up. I plan for the setting up of stations where people can make requests for spraying. I plan to have spray crews dispatched to every street and every house.
“I even plan for the setting up of vaccination centres where people can come to have themselves and their children vaccinated. This Zika is a very serious thing and we all have to get serious about it,” he said.
Rondon is expected to meet with doctors, nurse and other health workers today to discuss the way forward. Also due te start this week is a trial run by a Rapid Response Unit in Bagatelle, Diego Martin, where the first case of chikungunya was suspected.
Delaysingh said on Friday that members of the T&T Defence Force will be a part of the unit and will assist in disseminating information door to door, as well as fogging operations. The unit has been set up in conjunction with the Ministries of Local Government, National Security and other State agencies.
The National Security Ministry will provide logistical support for vector control activities.
Meanwhile, a source in the business community is calling for the IVCD to invest in mosquito traps to be installed in home throughout the country. The trap, a pot-like container, contains a chemical that attracts female aedes aegypti to lay eggs.
The chemical in the water kills the larvae and is also transferred onto the adult mosquitos, eventually killing them as well. The chemical can also be transferred from adult to adult mosquitos.
“There are several other traps to look at by the necessary authorities and we, the business community, are ready to bring them in for the fight against Zika.
“This is a situation that must not be taken lightly at all,” the source said.
GIVE FLU SHOTS TO CHILDREN
Health centres should give the H1N1 flu vaccines to young children, acting chief medical officer Dr Clive Tilluckdharry said yesterday.
Speaking at UWI’s medical sciences symposium on the H1N1 and Zika viruses, Tilluckdharry was responding to questions from an audience member who said some health centre personnel had said it was not for children. Tilluckdharry said it was suitable for children. He said there has been 72 confirmed H1N1 cases and eight deaths.
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said Government has H1N1 under control until the next virulent strain arrives. He said Government is aiming for zero H1N1 deaths for the 2016-2017 flu season which will be dealt with aggressively and earlier with vaccines from August to May.
Deyalsingh said while the former Government did the right thing in using historical data and ordering influenza vaccines for last year, this year H1N1 is so virulent, if he had relied on such data T&T would have had an epidemic. Therefore 116,000 doses of the vaccine were ordered. He admitted, however, the system cannot cope with the 20 fold increase in vaccines and there are logistical challenges.
Child health lecturer Dr Windsor Frederick said the Zika virus is expected to reach TT “in the near future” and there may be challenges in assessment and management of patients due to simultaneous circulation of dengue and chikungunya. He said if a causative role for Zika is confirmed regarding microcephaly in newborns this may have significant implications for the potential burden Zika may place on T&T’s healthcare system.
Dr Michell Ramjohn, of Mt Hope Hospital, said while pregnant women are at risk with H1N1, new information is emerging about the effects of Zika in pregnancy requiring new strategies to tackle the virus.
Gail Alexander
Zika precautions
• Dispose of all unwanted containers/items that may collect water.
• Cover water barrels, drums or buckets with tight fitting lids.
• Keep drains and guttering clean.
• Empty and scrub the sides of water vases.
• Wear clothing to cover arms and legs.
• Apply insect repellent to exposed skin.
• Sleep under a mosquito net.