(Antigua Observer) St. George’s, Grenada, Dec 21, CMC – Grenada says it will implement “all necessary measures that are legal” as it puts its disease surveillance system on alert in light of confirmed deaths related to the H1N1 virus or Swine Flu in Trinidad and Tobago
“Our choice at this time is the best choice that is to implement all necessary measures that are legal and in keeping with international conventions and protocols such as the International Health Regulations (IHR) to protect our citizens as best as we can,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. George Mitchell.
Health officials in Trinidad and Tobago are awaiting the results of a post mortem on a 28-year-old woman to determine if she had become the latest victim of the HINI virus in Trinidad and Tobago.
Stacy Ramkissoon died at the Eric Williams Sciences Complex, east of here, after she had been admitted to the facility suffering from flu-like symptoms.
Her death came less than 24 hours after Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh Friday confirmed that three people had died and there were 29 confirmed laboratory cases of the virus.
Deyalsingh said that the authorities had ordered 20,000 does of the vaccine from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in the wake of the epidemic.
Dr. Mitchell has briefed Health Minister Nickolas Steele and senior officials of the Ministry of Health on the latest H1N1 Report, adding that the Ministry of Health has no choice, but to keep its response and surveillance systems heightened so as to protect Grenadian citizens.
The Ministry of Health said it is urging all citizens to take all necessary measures including cough etiquette, regular hand-washing, and monitor conditions of relatives and friends should they come display symptoms associated with the H1N1 virus.
HINI symptoms include cough, fever, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.