分类： health

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated five parishes in western Jamaica, Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton has issued a stark warning about the escalating health risks posed by environmental diseases. Speaking at a meeting with public health workers in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Tufton emphasized that water-borne and food-related illnesses now represent the most significant threat to residents in the affected areas. The Category 5 hurricane, which struck on October 28, left widespread destruction, including power outages, limited access to clean water, and disrupted communication networks. Tufton highlighted that while immediate post-storm threats like mosquitoes and dead animals were minimal, the current risks include diseases such as leptospirosis and gastroenteritis, which can lead to severe health complications or even death. He urged health workers to remain vigilant and proactive in managing these risks over the next six weeks to two months. The minister also acknowledged logistical challenges, such as blocked roads and limited telecommunication services, and encouraged the use of innovative methods like town criers to disseminate health information. Additionally, he praised the efforts of local health departments, which are equipped with hand-held foggers and receiving support from other regions and institutions like the University of Technology, Jamaica. With approximately 3,000 health workers deployed across the country, the ministry is intensifying its vector control programs to mitigate the health crisis.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s health authorities have ramped up measures to prevent the spread of water-borne illnesses and other health hazards. Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton emphasized the critical need to manage dead livestock and contaminated food products, which can rapidly lead to disease outbreaks, foul odors, and water source contamination if not handled properly. Speaking at a webinar titled ‘Let’s talk recovery: Protecting against food and water-borne illnesses after a disaster,’ Tufton detailed the ministry’s collaboration with the veterinary public health unit, the Ministry of Agriculture, and local public health inspectors to remove, bury, or destroy animal carcasses and related waste in accordance with strict national and international standards. Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck western Jamaica on October 28, causing widespread displacement and the deaths of numerous animals, whose remains now pose a significant public health risk. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie highlighted several post-hurricane factors exacerbating health issues, including power loss, compromised water and food supplies, solid waste accumulation, and overcrowding in shelters. These conditions increase the likelihood of infections and diseases, including food, water-borne, vector-borne, and air-borne illnesses. The hurricane has also severely impacted health facilities across the island, with many hospitals and clinics either partially operational or completely out of service. Efforts are underway to restore healthcare services, including the establishment of field hospitals to address the immediate needs of affected communities.

GENEVA, Switzerland—The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about the growing threat of new tobacco and nicotine products targeting young people. Speaking at the opening of a global conference on tobacco control, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the alarming rise in the use of disposable e-cigarettes and flavored nicotine pouches among adolescents. He emphasized that these products are fueling a new wave of addiction, with schools becoming the new battleground in the fight against tobacco.