For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 19, 2011/N293
CPS Monitoring Global Measles Outbreak; Recommends to Travelers to Check Vaccination Status
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Collective Prevention Service (CPS) of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, is monitoring several large measles outbreaks in the European and African regions, with several reported outbreaks in the Americas linked to imported cases from Europe and Africa.
CPS is therefore recommending residents prior to travel to ensure that their vaccination status is up to date.
As of September 20, 40 of 53 Member States in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region have reported over 26,000 confirmed measles cases for the period January to July 2011. The highest number of cases was reported from France with over 14,000 cases for the first six months of the year.
In addition, 11 of all cases in the Region were lethal (Six in France and one in each of Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the United Kingdom).
CPS is reminding residents who plan to travel to Europe, and the Americas to check with their family physician to make sure their vaccinations are up to date, especially for measles.
The Americas reported their last case of endemic measles was reported from the region in 2002. In 2011 the Region has received reports of several outbreaks linked to importation of measles virus from other regions.
Quebec, Canada, involves 742 reported cases, 89 requiring hospitalization, but no measles-associated deaths. The second largest outbreak in the Americas has been reported in the United States of America, 213 cases. Most of these outbreaks are linked to importations from Europe, except for outbreaks in the United States linked to cases from Malaysia.
It is recommended that any resident of the Americas planning to travel to other regions of the world should be protected against measles and rubella (Measles, Mumps, Rubella MMR combination vaccine) prior to departing on their trip.
Travel increases the risk for exposure to measles virus and its further spread into susceptible populations if not vaccinated. An outbreak of measles is defined as a chain of transmission with three or more confirmed cases.
Measles is spread by contact with an infected person and through droplets in the air when someone coughs and/or sneezes.
Measles is a highly infectious disease that causes complications and death, even in previously healthy individuals, but is fully preventable by vaccination.
Countries need to ensure that they reach 95 per cent coverage with two doses of measles vaccine across all age groups up to 15 years of age. Otherwise the country will experience measles outbreaks with large numbers of cases, associated hospitalizations and deaths.
The recent outbreaks in countries with high volumes of international travelers can lead to measles exportation to regions previously frees of measles, such as the Region of the Americas or certain African countries.
These exportations can lead to large outbreaks and associated deaths. Sint Maarten coverage ranges between 85 to 90 per cent. This coverage is influenced by the parent’s consent and population mobilization. It is necessary for parents/guardians to double check their children’s vaccination status to ensure that your child is up to date.
Travelers who have not been vaccinated against measles and rubella are at risk of getting the disease and transmitting it to their friends and family members who may not be up to date with their vaccinations.
To prevent further spread, WHO encourages health authorities to advocate for immunization before travel and to provide immunizations through health systems’ immunization services according to existing national immunization schedule.
WHO recommends at least one dose prior to international travel for adolescents and adults who are unsure about their immunity status.
Measles are highly contagious and remains one of the world’s biggest causes of death among young children. Travelers may be exposed on airplanes or in airports. This disease can be prevented through a safe and effective vaccine, the combination MMR vaccine.
International travelers must show evidence of immunity to measles and rubella by ensuring that they have had two doses of measles-containing vaccine before their trip.
Talk to your doctor to check if your vaccinations are up to date!
The first MMR vaccine is routinely recommended at age 12 months. Ensure that you and your child are well vaccinated. For children, birth through 17 years of age, contact Youth Health Care (YHC) and for adults consult your family physician.
Be aware of food and water safety this hurricane season
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – During the hurricane season, residents must be prepared for different things. The Office of Disaster Management in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health would like to bring forth the following tips regarding food and water safety during a hurricane.
Make sure you have appliance thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer. An appliance thermometer will indicate the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer in case of a power outage and help determine if the food is safe. Make sure the freezer is at or below 0 degrees F and the refrigerator is at or below 40 degrees F.
Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator, or coolers after the power is out. If your normal water supply is contaminated or unavailable, the melting ice will supply drinking water.
Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk, and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately. This helps keep them at a safe temperature longer. Group food together in the freezer. This helps the food stay cold longer. Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerator food cold if the power will be out for more than four hours. Purchase or make ice cubes and store in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler. Freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in coolers.
Plan ahead and know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased. Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water in case of flooding. Make sure to have a supply of bottled water stored where it will be as safe as possible from flooding.
When the power goes out keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
If you plan to eat refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish or eggs while they are still at safe temperatures, it’s important that the food is thoroughly cooked to the proper temperature to assure that any food borne bacteria that may be present is destroyed.
Wash fruits and vegetables with water from a safe source before eating. For infants, if possible, use prepared, canned baby formula that requires no added water. When using concentrated or powered formulas, prepare with bottled water if the local water source is potentially contaminated.
The hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.
For Immediate Release: Sunday, September 18, 2011/N256
CPS Recommends Risk Group to get Seasonal Flu Vaccine
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, is recommending high risk groups to get their seasonal flu vaccination.
The region is still in the post-pandemic stage of the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak. This means that Influenza A (H1N1) virus has taken on a behaviour and intensity similar to that of regular seasonal influenza viruses.
The H1N1 vaccine components have been worked into the seasonal flu vaccines.
Persons who form part of the risk group are:
* all pregnant women who are in the last six months of pregnancy or second trimester – from their fourth month onwards;
* with pulmonary disease: asthma (when maintenance medication is given; this also holds true for children), COPD, carcinoma of the lung, anthracosilicosis, lungfibrosis , mucoviscidosis, severe kyfoscoliosis, status after resection of a lung, breathing difficulties;
* with cardiac disease: having experienced a myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, arrhythmias, valve dysfunction, cardiac failure;
* with diabetes mellitus, even if not on medication;
* with chronic kidney disease/failure: dialysis, kidney transplant;
* after a recent bone marrow transplant;
* with HIV-infection;
* with an intellectual disability in an intramural setting;
* with a diminished resistance to infections: livercirrosis, (functional) asplenia, auto-immune illnesses, chemotherapy, immunosuppressive medication;
* 60 years and older.
Front-line workers as well as health care workers who may be in contact with patients pertaining to the medical risk groups (personnel in nursing homes, senior citizen home, hospital, outpatient clinics and general practitioner/specialist practices), should also get the flu vaccination.
Home care givers of people with a very high risk for severe illness and mortality due to the flu should also be vaccinated.
The symptoms of influenza A (H1N1) flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with the virus.
Members of the community are advised to check with their family physician on their seasonal flu vaccine and are strongly advised to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their family members from infection by maintaining high standards of personal hygiene.
Steps of personal hygiene entail covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough; washing your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after contact with respiratory secretions (e.g., after sneezing and coughing).
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Consult your family physician in due time and do not place others at risk. Take the necessary protection when in the vicinity of any sick persons.
Eat healthy foods, get a lot of exercise and maintain a good sleep schedule which is usually eight hours.