health
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WHO declares Zika an International Public Health Emergency
The World Health Organization declared the spread of Zika and an associated birth defect an international public health emergency Monday, freeing funds to combat the disease. “This is an extraordinary event,” said WHO Director General Margaret Chan at a press conference Monday. “It poses a public health threat to other parts of the world and a coordinated international response is…
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Landmark agreement between IDB and CARPHA to address Tourism and Health
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. January 27, 2016. The Caribbean is the most tourism dependent region in the world, receiving a record 26.3 million stay over arrivals in 2014. These high levels of travel which bring so many economic benefits, can bring different health, social and environmental challenges, including the possible international spread of disease. In this regard,…
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Reduce mosquito breeding to zap Zika – CARPHA
As the Caribbean public health sector ramps up its response to the Zika virus in the Region, officials are strongly advising the adoption of personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites and the reduction of mosquito breeding grounds. The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) issued the advice on Monday at a press conference held to address the presence of the Zika virus…
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Regional tourism organisations observing protocols on mosquito-borne diseases
The public-sector-led Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) and its private sector counterpart, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) said Monday that they were observing national, Regional and international health protocols in dealing with mosquito-borne viral diseases which can be found in tropical countries. In a statement on the Zika virus, the CTO and CHTA said they were in close contact with the Caribbean Public Health…
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CARPHA to zero in on ZIKA on Monday
Dr. James Hospedales, Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and senior technical officers will engage the media on Monday on issues related to Zika, including facts about the disease, tourism and health, and surveillance and ethical issues. The Press Conference will be held at 9 am at CARPHA’s Headquarters at 16-18 Jamaica Boulevard, Federation Park, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.…
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Jamaica spending millions to upgrade UWI lab to test for Zika virus
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Thursday January 21, 2016 – The Jamaica Government is spending J$10 million (US$82,936) to upgrade and improve the Virology Laboratory at the University of the West Indies (UWI) to ensure that testing for the Zika Virus (ZikV) can be carried out locally. Minister of Health Horace Dalley made the announcement yesterday as ZikV, which is transmitted by the Aedes…
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Monitor, report birth anomalies – PAHO advises on Zika virus
As the Zika virus spreads, PAHO advises countries to monitor and report birth anomalies and other suspected complications of the virus Washington, D.C., 18 January 2016 (PAHO/WHO) — With the Zika virus now circulating in 18 countries and territories of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) is recommending that its member countries monitor and report…
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PAHO/WHO rep makes case for regional specialized health facilities
A representative of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) said there is no need for the country and other small island nations to consider having their own specialists to handle medical cases. Dr Godfrey Xuereb The Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean representative for PAHO/WHO, Dr Godfrey Xuereb said although Antigua & Barbuda could not handle…
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Zika Virus Under Surveillance
The Ministry of Health is continuing to monitor the Zika virus, which was reported in the Caribbean region for the first time in June 2015. Speaking earlier today at a press conference to address the H1N1 and Zika viruses, Minister of Health, John Boyce, reported that there are currently eight suspected cases in Barbados. (From left to right) Chief…
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