Health authorities in Westmoreland, Jamaica, are increasing surveillance due to concerns about hantavirus, despite no confirmed cases in the country. Medical Officer of Health Dr Marcia Graham highlighted this issue during a presentation at the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation meeting on Thursday, May 14.
Dr Graham explained that the monitoring process at Jamaica’s ports of entry has intensified to reduce potential exposure to the virus through travel. The hantavirus has an incubation period of one to eight weeks, so individuals identified as possible contacts are carefully monitored. If someone contracts the virus, they may need to be quarantined for at least six weeks.
Currently, there are no suspected or confirmed cases of hantavirus in Jamaica, according to Dr Graham. However, she cautioned residents against sharing misinformation, as false public health notices featuring the Ministry of Health and Wellness’s logo have been circulating on social media. She urged the public to verify information using reputable sources, such as the Ministry, the World Health Organization, and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Additionally, Dr Graham stressed the importance of promoting mosquito breeding prevention and rodent control within communities. She also expressed concern over ongoing cases of accidental poisoning among children in the parish. According to her, many children continue to be admitted to hospitals for accidental poisoning, prompting her to advise parents and caregivers to securely store hazardous household chemicals out of children’s reach.
