GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands; Friday, June 12th, 2009 - Yesterday June 11, 2009 - the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the Influenza A H1N1 pandemic alert level to phase 6, which is a global pandemic. This action was taken as a result of the widespread distribution of Influenza A H1N1 virus in more than 70 countries globally, with over 30,000 confirmed infections. This declaration signals the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic- which, thus far - has been described as moderate and not at the level of severity of pass pandemics. The number of hospital admissions and deaths has not been significant and is comparable to the regular seasonal influenza.
To date there has been no confirmed cases of Influenza A H1N1 infections in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Several persons who met the definition of suspected cases were tested locally utilizing rapid viral test kits in addition to testing at the Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) laboratories. However, all of these individuals were negative for Influenza A H1N1.
The declaration of phase 6 pandemic alert level by WHO requires that the Turks and Caicos Islands remain vigilant in its surveillance to ensure early detection of the virus in visitors and residents and implement measures to curtail local spread of the disease. The absence of the disease in the TCI may also merely represent the possibility that persons with influenza like illness are not coming forward to be tested.
The communicable disease surveillance and outbreak response team will continue to conduct surveillance at our ports of entry to facilitate early detection of persons with influenza like illness. The completion of health declaration and health questionnaire remains in effect for all arriving passengers and crew at our ports of entry. However, in accordance with the recommendation of the WHO there is no restriction on travel and the entry of flights or vessels from Influenza A H1N1 infected countries.
To this end, the Ministry of Health are encouraging the general public to continue to seek medical attention should they develop flu like symptoms and to use good personal hygiene practices such as covering of your cough and washing of hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizers.
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