This year’s influenza outbreak has been terrifying.
In the United States alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that this year’s flu season has been the worst since the swine pandemic of 2009-2010.
Barbados has largely escaped the flu epidemic, but today the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) warned that thousands in the region were affected every year by the flu, a contagious respiratory illness.
In a statement CARPHA warned that given elevated flu activity in the United States, combined with the high travel season to the Caribbean, it was important for people to take the necessary steps now, to protect themselves and their loved ones.
CARPHA Executive Director Dr James Hospedales noted that the flu season generally occurs between September to March when there is usually an increase in the number of persons coming down with the respiratory illness in the northern hemisphere.
He warned that the primary form of influenza transmission was through interpersonal contact, adding that large social events, such as carnival, festivals and concerts, could create serious public health challenges because persons were often crowded together, sharing personal space and common areas.
The flu is characterized by a sudden onset of high fever, cough (usually dry), headaches, muscle and joint pain, severe malaise (feeling unwell), sore throat and runny nose.
Most people recover from the symptoms within a week without requiring medical attention, but influenza can cause severe illness or death in people who are high risk.
Therefore, CARPHA said the fight must begin with good personal hygiene in order to reduce the risk of transmission. This includes covering your mouth with a tissue or a handkerchief, or using your elbow when sneezing or coughing.
Safely disposing of used tissues and washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after coughing and sneezing and before and after meal preparation, eating and using the toilets are also recommended. Alternately, you may use an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer.
Also, avoid contact with others by staying home if you are sick.
Flu sufferers should also clean and disinfect surfaces regularly.
In its statement, CARPHA noted that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent the disease and advised that vaccinations were “especially important for health workers and people at higher risk of serious influenza complications, such as the very young, the elderly and chronically ill persons, and for people who live with or care for high risk individuals”.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
flu season really really….we have mango season sour sap season don’t know anything about flu season, they need to stop spraying the cloud with them viruses talking about flu season they know them cold medicine would spike in price so they keep doing this shit
Somewhat of an over kill in the Caribbean. Is this the prelude to some medication we do not need?
They always tryna kill the population. I rebuke y’all in the name of God
Flu season is a real thing. Per the US CDC, approximately 84 children have died due to the flu in the 2017-2018 season in the United States! There are many strains of the flu this year. H3N2, H1N1 and so forth. These flu strains can be passed on by an infected person merely breathing on another. The elderly and individuals with compromised immune system are also at high risk. This is a serious advisory. We have to protect ourselves and our families. Especially our family member who are employed in the hotel industry. The flu shot that was given all over the world this flu season did not protect the recipients🤔. Trust me, I have my conspiracy theories, however, cold medicine cannot cure the cold, much less the flu. Let’s do our part to protect our elderly and our babies. Wash those hands!
Comments are closed.