CARPHA INFORMATION AND LINK TO AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. JOY ST. JOHN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT CARPHA
Monkeypox – a Regional Overview
“We need to guard against having emerging communicable diseases, like monkeypox established in the Caribbean. Monkeypox is not a disease like COVID-19. It is not airborne and demands close prolonged contact with an infected person. The way this particular monkeypox outbreak presents is different from what was reported in endemic countries. Caribbean people need to be vigilant and pay attention,” stated Dr. Joy St. John, Executive Director at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), following the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration on 23 July, 2022, that the global spread of the monkeypox virus, constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Food Security: Children on Nevis exposed to importance of eating locally grown foods
CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS, July 25, 2022 (MMS-SKN) — Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education of the Nevis Island Administration, Mr Kevin Barrett, is calling on persons to eat more of what is grown locally as it is healthier, noting that it would encourage the farmers to grow more instead of the country having to rely on imported foods.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH PRESS RELEASE RE: NO CASES OF MONKEYPOX IN THE FEDERATION OF ST. KITTS & NEVIS
MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISSEMINATION As of Sunday July 17, 2022, there are no reported suspected, probable, or confirmed cases of monkeypox in the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis. Four (4) other CARICOM member states have been affected by the travel of infected individuals and their close contacts so far. However, the monkeypox outbreak has not affected St. Kitts & Nevis yet and there are no plans for border closure.
NO RESTRICTIONS ON ENTRY OF PERSONS OR IMPORTED GOODS FROM ANY COUNTRY AT THIS TIME DUE TO MONKEYPOX
Basseterre, St. Kitts, 18th July, 2022 (SKNIS): The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in their latest recommendations regarding monkeypox have said that there should be no restrictions on the entry of persons or imported goods from any country at this time.
In a media release from the Ministry of Health of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis it said “As of Sunday, July 17, 2022, there are no reported, suspected, probable, or confirmed cases of monkeypox in the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis. Four (4) other CARICOM member states have been affected by the travel of infected individuals and close contacts so far. However, the monkeypox outbreak has not affected St. Kitts and Nevis yet and there are no plans for border closure.”
“Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus which is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion and a typical rash that looks like pimples or blisters inside mouth, on face and other parts of the body like hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. The rash goes through distinct stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. The monkeypox virus can spread from person to person through direct contact with infected person, touching contaminated clothes or linen of infected persons and mother-to-child transmission through pregnancy,” the media release stated.
“Monkeypox is a different virus from the virus that causes COVID-19. Monkeypox is much harder to transmit. There is a limited likelihood of spread of this disease in the Caribbean region,” it added.
BASSETERRE (15 July 2022): St. Kitts kicked off ‘Restaurant Week” with its annual ‘Tasting Showcase”. The event held at the St. Kitts Eco Park on Sunday 10 July, afforded the patrons opportunities to savour local cuisine while basking in the natural beauty of the destination. The Tasting showcase highlighted dishes prepared by local chefs which were undoubtedly culturally oriented complimented by entertainment that underscored the destination’s rich heritage. The event comes on the heel of a successful Mango Festival recently held in Nevis. The Tasting Showcase’s success is testament to locals’ excitement to dine out and support the event. Restaurant Week is scheduled for 10 to 24 July, 2022. The theme ingredient chosen for this year’s event is our very own, sweet potato.
