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CHIKUNGUNYA ON THE DECREASE

ST. GEORGE’S GRENADA, 26 SEPTEMBER 2014: _ Grenadian Health authorities are reporting what they believe is a decrease in the number of suspected cases of Chikungunya on the mainland.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. George Mitchell told the Government Information Services (GIS) that according to the Ministry’s epidemiology surveillance data for last week there has been a decline in the number of suspected reported cases.

The number of reported suspected cases during the last week stood at 467, down from 638 suspected cases reported the previous week, signaling a downward trend for the first time since the outbreak began.

The first confirmed cases on main land Grenada was discovered on August 27 the (MOH) reported following laboratory confirmation of twelve cases by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) based in Trinidad and Tobago. The cases on the mainland were confirmed following the outbreak on the sister isles of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

Since the report of the first outbreak in Carriacou, the MOH had stepped up its response and public education campaign with specific focus on source reduction, vigilance and taking whatever steps necessary to reduce the spread of the infection.

Some of measure taken thus far include the establishment of a National ChikV Hotline (403-7656), a two-day island-wide cleanup exercise, several radio and television programs on Chik-V, a joint national radio and television broadcast “ChikV Alert”, school based educational talks, Non Governmental and Community Based Organizations; and wider stakeholder involvement for greater collaboration in responding to the outbreak.

Additionally, the Ministry of Health continues to encourage communities and individuals to engage in cleaning their surroundings and to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. These measures include the use of protective clothing and insect repellents.

Meanwhile the (MOH) continues to hold periodic meetings with important stakeholders to implement different methods and strategies to abate current outbreak.

To-date there have been no reported ChikV associated deaths during the current outbreak.

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