The Ministry Of Health is assuring the Dominican public that there is no documented or laboratory confirmed cases of Swine Flu in Dominica and that there is no cause for alarm in that regard.
The Honourable Minister For Health, Dr. Kenneth Darroux, held a press conference, on Wednesday, to update the media on his recent trips to the PAHO governing council meeting in Washington, DC; his recent visit to the 6th south Korean-Caribbean partnership forum; and most recently to Morocco at the conference of parties, COP22.
Dr. Darroux also addressed the media on the misconception circulating concerning the presence of Swine Flu; investigations into several unexplained sudden deaths and rumours of contaminated potable water.
Dr. Darroux reiterated a statement released by the Ministry of Health that there is currently an outbreak of a seasonal flu.
In the press release from the Ministry of Health it was stated that there are three different types of viruses circulating in Dominica; namely the Para Influenza Type 2 virus, the Rhino virus and the respiratory Syncytial virus.
The minister stressed that the h1n1 swine flu is not present in Dominica.
“Were we to have Swine Flu in Dominica the whole world would be descending on Dominica. We would have a serious international band on us encouraging people to not visit Dominica. The idea that there is Swine Flu out there circulating and that the Ministry of Health is tight lipped about it is just preposterous. As the Minister for Health I need to encourage people to be careful with how we propagate such information. I understood that they said that we are causing confusion. I think the confusion was caused by certain parties out there and not the Ministry of Health,” Hon Darroux stated.
The Hon Minister also revealed that it is the custom of the Ministry of Health to investigate all cases of unexplained sudden deaths and these are currently being conducted. An updated statement will be issued when it becomes available.
The Ministry of Health is encouraging the general public to practice proper sanitation and etiquette as it relates to the flu.
Individuals with the flu are encouraged to practice cough etiquette and abstain from coughing into their hands. People should wash their hands or use hand sanitizer after coughing and sneezing to prevent spreading the virus.