Medical professionals across Jamaica are reporting a substantial increase in severe influenza cases, creating a noticeable divergence between frontline clinical observations and official governmental assessments. Pediatrician Dr. Lisa Franklin-Banton from We R Kids Paediatric Centre has documented a dramatic rise in Influenza A infections among children over the past three weeks, with cases escalating significantly since the pre-Christmas period.
The current outbreak predominantly affects children aged four to seven, though cases span all age groups from infants to teenagers. Patients present with severe symptoms including high fever, extreme fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, and persistent coughing. Dr. Franklin-Banton expressed particular concern about parental practices of sending symptomatic children to school, noting this behavior appears to be accelerating transmission within educational settings.
Concurrently, ENT specialist Dr. Khia Josina Duncan reports increased hospital admissions, especially among pediatric and elderly patients. She has observed a concerning rise in complicated sinusitis cases where infections spread to orbital or intracranial regions, representing serious secondary complications of influenza.
Despite these clinical reports, Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness maintains that influenza activity remains within seasonal parameters. Dr. Karen Webster-Kerr, Principal Medical Officer and National Epidemiologist, confirmed surveillance data from 78 healthcare facilities indicates no outbreak declaration is warranted. Current virological analysis shows Influenza A (H3N2) dominating at 85% of cases, with H1N1 at 10% and Influenza B comprising the remaining 5%.
Hospitalization rates for severe acute respiratory infections remain low at 1.3%, below outbreak thresholds. Both independent physicians and government officials unanimously recommend enhanced preventive measures including mask-wearing, staying home when symptomatic, and vaccination, particularly for vulnerable demographics. The ministry emphasizes that while Jamaica’s typical flu season runs from October through May, vaccination remains beneficial even at this stage.