The Surveillance Committee of the Ministry of Health, has noted the typical increase in reports of viral respiratory infections expected in the months of November to February, the “flu season”, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The surveillance committee reported that:-
Cases of gastroenteritis, Fever & Respiratory infections in persons older than 5 years and Undifferentiated Fever were reported over the threshold of what is normal.
There were 12 cases of Influenza A (H1N1), including 1 person who was hospitalized.
There was one (1) case each of chickenpox, toxoplasmosis, scabies, and Hepatitis A.
There were seventy seven (77) cases of HFMD.
For the Year to date (YTD) there were 66 cases of influenza A (21.2% hospitalized), two imported case of H3N2 (bird flu) and 156 cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease.
The Ministry of Health notes the public’s concerns about the reports of cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in our preschools and kindergartens, and would like to reassure the public that we have been working closely with the Ministry of Education and individual schools to ensure that our children remain safe and healthy.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness among infants and children under the age of five years, but can also occur in older children and adults.
Usually, HFMD gets better on its own within 7 to 10 days.
Although fatalities and hospitalization of HFMD are low the Ministry will continue to monitor the situation closely
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