Chikunguyna confirmed in Trinidad

Port of Spain, Trinidad (CMC) — Trinidad and Tobago has become the latest Caribbean country to record cases of the Chikunguyna virus after the disease was first detected in the region last December.

Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan said that the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) had confirmed the three cases.

“The Ministry of Health has already been in contact with these patients to ensure the appropriate clinical care is received. Through our Insect Vector Control Division, we have begun the work of minimising the spread of the vectors through the implementation of appropriate integrated vector management strategies,” Dr Khan said

He said the disease which is preventable is spread by the very vectors which spread dengue and appealed to nationals to take the appropriate measures to ensure their environment is clean and that they do their best to stop mosquitoes from breeding in their homes, schools, neighbourhood, and country.

Dr Khan said the authorities have launched “a robust health promotion campaign” to ensure that citizens have the necessary knowledge to be so empowered to protect themselves and family from the disease.