Thursday, 3 September 2009

I am pleased to report that the latest data from the Public Health Department indicates that the number of flu cases in the Cayman Islands has fallen to ‘usual’ levels during the last week and is comparable to the same period in 2008.

However, we need to remain vigilant. The World Health Organization has warned of the possibility of “an explosion” in the number of H1N1 cases as we head for the fall flu season.

Of particular concern is controlling flu outbreaks in our schools. As such, the Public Health Department and the Health and Education ministries met last month and considered a range of prevention and control strategies to deal with any resurgence or outbreak in schools. Staff and administrators of the government schools were briefed on the measures at the commencement ceremony for the 2009/2010 academic year.

The goal is to keep schools open and functioning in a normal manner during this flu season, and school closures will only be considered as a last resort. In large part, we will be following the recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

We have also asked schools to conduct active flu surveillance and report unusual numbers of sickness, and to arrange for sick children and staff to be sent home.

The Public Health Department has taken steps to secure H1N1 flu vaccine and an immunization programme will be initiated as soon as the vaccine arrives on-island. However, for the time being our best line of defense is preventing the spread of the H1N1 virus through social distancing, keeping sick children out of school and hand washing.

Employers must review their contingency plans so they can keep functioning in a normal manner should there be a resurgence of H1N1 during this flu season. Public health officials have already met with members of the Chamber of Commerce and shared recommendations on how businesses can prepare for the pandemic. Businesses should factor in granting parents leave to stay at home with sick children.

Lastly, we ask all residents to stay informed:  There is a 24-hour flu hotline at 926-2812 and a dedicated email address flu@hsa.ky. You can also visit www.hsa.ky, www.caymanprepared.ky or www.cdc.gov .