Top health official says Federation fared well during H1N1 pandemic

Dr. Patrick Martin

ZIZ News…August 13, 2010 – Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Martin says St. Kitts and Nevis fared well during the pandemic phases of the H1N1 influenza.

In a release issued to the media on Thursday, he said the Director General of the WHO, Dr Margaret Chang, issued a statement to the effect that the world is no longer in phase 6 of the H1N1 influenza pandemic alert.

The world has entered a post-pandemic period meaning that the H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as “swine flu”, has run its course as a new influenza virus and is now one of several seasonal influenza viruses.

The CMO stated the general public will recall that the Federation experienced two waves of H1N1 influenza. Overall, the people of St. Kitts and Nevis fared well during the pandemic phases.

Dr. Martin extended appreciation to all health providers for their outstanding performance in responding to the H1N1 pandemic and in caring for affected persons and made special mention of the various media outlets for helping to disseminate locally relevant guidance.

The Ministries of Health of both islands will continue their surveillance of influenza viruses and other infections in conjunction with CAREC and the Pan American Health Organization.