A two-week workshop titled ‘Building Resilient Communities: Integrating Public Health Strategies for Vector Control, Epidemiological Surveillance, and Disease Prevention in Response to Climate Change’ recently concluded in Antigua and Barbuda. The event, organized by the Central Board of Health (CBH) and sponsored by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Direct Relief Programme, aimed to enhance public health resilience against vector-borne diseases exacerbated by climate change. Held at the Harrison Centre in Tomlinson, the workshop trained 115 participants, including Public Health Inspectors and Environmental Health aides. Due to the high number of attendees, the program was divided into four segments, with two sessions specifically dedicated to mosquito control, which attracted the largest audience. Facilitated by former Chief Health Inspector Lionel Michael, the training emphasized vector control strategies, including educational, physical, biological, chemical, and environmental measures. Key topics included the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), alternative fogging techniques, and the impact of climatic conditions on vector control. Deputy Chief Health Inspector Daryl Spencer highlighted the workshop’s goal of strengthening capacity in vector control and providing formal training for new staff. Michael provided in-depth insights into the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector for dengue fever, discussing its characteristics, replication, transmission, and symptoms. Dengue fever, prevalent in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounts for over 92% of global cases, with symptoms including high fever, headache, joint pain, and nausea. The workshop underscored the importance of community responsibility in public health, emphasizing that government efforts alone are insufficient to combat vector-borne diseases. Participants were encouraged to adopt proactive measures, such as eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and maintaining proper sanitation, to mitigate the spread of diseases.
分类： health
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Gaza’s health system has collapsed due to Israeli aggression
The healthcare system in Gaza is facing an unprecedented crisis, as described by Munir Al-Barsh, the Director General of the Ministry of Health in the Palestinian coastal enclave. With a population exceeding two million, Gaza’s hospitals are grappling with severe shortages of essential resources, including medicines and medical supplies. Al-Barsh revealed that 84% of basic medicines and 40% of emergency medicines are unavailable, while the lack of medical supplies has surpassed 71%. Critical items such as gauze and medical solutions are in critically short supply, with reserves expected to last only a month. This scarcity is severely impeding the delivery of primary healthcare services. Additionally, the healthcare infrastructure is collapsing due to inconsistent fuel supplies, which are essential for powering health facilities. Communications systems have failed, and laboratories are nearly entirely shut down. Despite a recent truce and Israel’s commitment to allow aid, only five trucks carrying medical supplies enter Gaza weekly—a starkly insufficient amount to address the dire needs of the population. The situation underscores the urgent need for international intervention to prevent a full-scale humanitarian disaster.
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Nippes : Strengthening of security at the Central of inputs and medication
The Nippes Health Directorate (DSNI) in Haiti has launched a comprehensive initiative to bolster the security, transparency, and efficiency of managing medical supplies and medications for healthcare institutions across the department. Spearheaded by Dr. Esther Ceus Dumont, the Departmental Health Director, the initiative includes structural upgrades and enhanced oversight at the Departmental Supply Center (CDAI), a critical hub for storing essential health products provided by the Ministry of Health and its partners.
To further strengthen security, the DSNI has introduced a dedicated video surveillance operator to continuously monitor activities at the CDAI, supplementing the existing camera system. This measure ensures round-the-clock vigilance and safeguards the integrity of medical supplies. Dr. Dumont also convened a meeting with CDAI staff to emphasize the importance of individual and collective responsibility in managing health resources, stressing the need for professionalism and transparency.
Additional measures include upgrading the monitoring system, enhancing physical security around the facility, and providing ongoing staff training on ethical and technical aspects of supply management. These efforts aim to establish stricter controls, improve traceability, and create a secure working environment, ensuring that health products are effectively distributed to institutions and ultimately benefit the local population.
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Leptospirosis outbreak declared in Jamaica
Jamaica is currently grappling with a significant outbreak of leptospirosis in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, as confirmed by Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton. The minister revealed that six suspected deaths have been reported, with nine confirmed cases and 28 suspected or probable cases identified between October 30 and November 20. This surge in cases marks a stark increase compared to the two to 21 cases recorded over the previous 34 months. Dr. Tufton attributed the outbreak to the conditions created by Hurricane Melissa, which heightened the risk of exposure to contaminated water and soil. Leptospirosis, a disease typically transmitted through contact with urine or bodily fluids of infected animals, has now been detected in eight parishes: St Ann, St Mary, St James, Hanover, Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, St Catherine, and Trelawny. The health minister emphasized the urgent need for public awareness and preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease.
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First US Human Case of ‘Rare Bird Flu Strain’ Confirmed in Washington
Health authorities in Washington have reported the first human case of the rare H5N5 bird flu strain in the United States in nearly a year. The patient, an elderly individual with pre-existing health conditions, was hospitalized in early November after exhibiting symptoms such as high fever, confusion, and respiratory distress. This marks the first instance of the H5N5 strain being detected in humans, although it has previously been identified in animals. State epidemiologist Scott Lindquist emphasized the severity of the patient’s condition during a briefing, as reported by The Washington Post. Officials have assured the public that the risk of widespread transmission remains low. The patient maintains a mixed backyard flock that had contact with wild birds, prompting state and federal agencies to investigate the source of the infection. Health authorities have confirmed no additional cases of H5N5 infection beyond the initial patient. Bird flu, which originates in wild aquatic birds, can spread to poultry and occasionally mammals. Human infections are rare and typically result from direct exposure to infected animals. Cases often increase during colder months as migratory birds facilitate the spread of the virus.
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‘Tap into the happy’
The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which struck southwestern Jamaica on October 28 with devastating 185 mph winds and torrential rainfall, has left a lasting impact on the mental health of children in the region. Among the most affected is Mae Allen’s two-year-old grandson, who now cries at the mere sound of raindrops, a stark reminder of the traumatic evacuation his family endured during the storm. This fear is just one example of the psychological scars left by the Category 5 hurricane, which claimed over 40 lives and left hundreds homeless.
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US records second human bird flu death of year
A Washington state resident has become the first recorded human case of the rare H5N5 avian influenza strain, marking a significant development in global health monitoring. The individual, described as an older adult with pre-existing health conditions, succumbed to the virus after being hospitalized earlier this month. The Washington State Department of Health confirmed the diagnosis, which was subsequently verified by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Health officials emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low, as no other cases have been reported, and there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission. The patient reportedly kept a backyard flock of mixed domestic birds, which is believed to be the source of the infection.
This incident marks the second human fatality linked to avian influenza in the United States this year, following a death from the H5N1 strain in Louisiana in January. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has documented over 1,000 human cases of bird flu across 25 countries since 2003, encompassing all known strains of the virus. The CDC has recorded more than 70 human cases of bird flu in the US this year alone, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance in monitoring zoonotic diseases.
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Precaution, not panic
Jamaica is grappling with a leptospirosis outbreak following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa last month. Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton confirmed the outbreak on Friday, attributing it to the flooding and unsanitary conditions left by the Category 5 hurricane, which struck the island on October 28. The bacterial disease, transmitted through contaminated water, soil, or food, has already claimed six lives, with 87 suspected, probable, and confirmed cases reported since 2024. Of these, 37 cases emerged post-Melissa, with 10 confirmed and six deaths linked to the hurricane. St. James Parish, particularly Montego Bay, has been the hardest hit, recording 17 cases and four deaths. Other affected areas include St. Ann, St. Elizabeth, Hanover, and Westmoreland. National epidemiologist Dr. Karen Webster Kerr emphasized that leptospirosis, caused by the Leptospira bacteria, thrives in floodwaters contaminated by animal urine, particularly from rats, livestock, and pets. The disease, which mimics symptoms of influenza, meningitis, and dengue, is treatable but can lead to severe complications affecting the liver, kidneys, lungs, and brain. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie urged the public to take preventive measures, including wearing protective gear during cleanup activities and seeking medical attention for severe symptoms like jaundice, dark urine, or respiratory distress. Health officials are also encouraging blood donations to support critically ill patients. While the outbreak poses a significant public health risk, authorities are calling for calm and proactive measures to curb its spread.
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SRC urges vigilance over food safety
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the Scientific Research Council (SRC) has issued a stern warning to Jamaicans about the increased risks of gastroenteritis and other food and water-borne illnesses. Ray-Anne Shaw Phillips, team leader of the SRC’s analytical services department, emphasized the need for heightened vigilance, particularly regarding symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and severe dehydration. She advised those experiencing prolonged symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.
The aftermath of the hurricane has also raised concerns about leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can spread through contaminated water. Shaw Phillips highlighted the dangers of floodwater, which often contains a hazardous mix of pesticides, chemicals, oil, human and animal waste, and decaying matter. This toxic combination creates an ideal environment for microbial growth, posing significant health risks.
To mitigate these risks, the SRC recommends discarding any food that may have come into contact with floodwater, even if it was stored in plastic or cardboard containers. The council also urges the public to treat water before consumption by boiling it or using disinfectants. Additionally, the SRC offers accredited testing services for food and water supplies, including checks for E. coli, coliforms, turbidity, and pH levels.
As Jamaica continues its recovery efforts, the SRC remains committed to supporting residents, businesses, and community groups in ensuring the safety of their food and water supplies. Those in need of testing services can contact the council via telephone at (876) 927-1771, email at edoffice@src.gov.jm, or through their website and social media channels.
Shaw Phillips expressed empathy for those affected by the hurricane and stressed the importance of vigilance during the recovery process. ‘After a hurricane, there is always increased public health risk,’ she said. ‘We must ensure that we do not exacerbate the situation by consuming contaminated items.’
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Guyana learning from Suriname how to eliminate malaria
In a significant step towards malaria eradication, a high-level delegation from Guyana, led by PAHO Director Dr. Kim Dickson and representatives from the Guyana Malaria Program, embarked on a knowledge-sharing mission to Suriname from November 19 to 21, 2025. The visit aimed to exchange strategies and lessons from Suriname’s successful elimination of malaria, which earned the country a malaria-free certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) on June 30, 2025—a first for the Amazon region. Suriname’s Communications Service highlighted the mission’s dual focus: supporting Guyana’s progress towards malaria elimination and preventing the reintroduction of the disease in Suriname. During the meeting, Suriname’s Health Minister, Misiekaba, emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, noting that Suriname’s achievement would be unsustainable without joint efforts across the Guiana Shield and Amazon region. He also pointed out the challenge of preventing malaria reintroduction due to cross-border population movements, while praising Guyana’s significant reduction in malaria cases since the previous year. The delegation engaged in a series of activities, including technical meetings with Suriname’s National Malaria Program and the Malaria Elimination Task Force, visits to malaria clinics in Paramaribo and near the Afobaka Dam, and a scheduled stop at a Medical Mission clinic to observe community-based prevention and treatment practices. Dr. Yafflo Ouattara, PAHO Director in Suriname, underscored the necessity of regional cooperation, stating that the exchange of knowledge and strategies would be crucial for maintaining Suriname’s malaria-free status and accelerating Guyana’s progress. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the fight against malaria in the Amazon region, with both nations committed to achieving a malaria-free future.