The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE number of confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus in the Bahamas has risen to 17, Chief Medical Officer Dr Delon Brennen said yesterday.

When asked by The Tribune if officials are concerned about the rate of the spread of the virus, Dr Brennen said: “We have continued to enhance our efforts to educate and engage the Bahamian public regarding chikungunya.

“Any new cases are of concern so we will continue to do what we can to halt the spread and protect the public.”

The measures officials are taking to prevent the spread of the virus include spraying and cleaning up areas around the residences of the confirmed cases as well as tackling issues around shanty towns.

There have been reports that officials are targeting shanty town communities to prevent the spread of the virus.

Dr Brennen said: “Our emphasis is not on clearing down shanty towns.

“Instead we want all residents to be aware of the risk of breeding sites for mosquitos around their homes and when areas at risk are identified we assist residents with clean-up of debris and water containing vessels when possible.

“This is what has occurred in densely populated areas in New Providence, including areas identified as shanty towns.”

Despite spreading rapidly through the Caribbean the first confirmed case of the virus in the Bahamas was diagnosed when a tourist from the Dominican Republic arrived on June 29.

Several weeks ago health officials reported four new cases, with the media reporting in some instances that officials were investigating up to 60 possible cases of the virus.

Reports this week suggest up to 475,000 cases have been confirmed in the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States.

The chikungunya virus is rarely fatal but causes numerous symptoms like fever, joint pain, headache and joint swelling.

It is spread through bites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same bug that spreads the dengue fever.

Residents are encouraged to use pest repellents and to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants as protection.

In May, Environmental Health Director Melanie McKenzie told The Tribune particular attention is being paid to the southern islands of the Bahamas where residents from affected countries have been travelling.

Her department has been spraying larvicide in certain areas as a precaution.