On 25 July, Madam President Williams was seen as a patient at the General Hospital in St George’s, however, the cause of her illness and hospitalisation was not made public

View the full post Senate President not in best of health on NOW Grenada.

Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Public Health in the Dominican Republic has reported 3,236 suspected cases of dengue nationwide, with 248 new cases reported in the last week. Three deaths from dengue have been confirmed so far this year. The areas with the highest incidence of suspected cases are Santo Domingo, Santiago, the National District, Puerto Plata, Montecristi, Barahona, San Cristóbal, Sánchez Ramírez, and La Romana, each with more than 100 suspected cases.

The ministry warns that dengue is a seasonal disease and expects a significant increase in cases over the next 3 to 4 months. To control the spread of the disease, the population is urged to eliminate and report possible breeding sites for the transmitting mosquito, follow the ministry’s recommendations, and support the preventive campaigns being carried out.

In addition to dengue, the ministry also reported 229 suspected cases of leptospirosis and one death so far this year. Leptospirosis is another infectious disease that requires attention and preventive measures.

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The World Health Organization warned on Friday that cases of dengue fever could reach close to record highs this year, partly due to global warming and the way that climate has helped the mosquitoes that spread it, Reuters reported.

Rates of the disease are climbing worldwide, "with reported cases since 2000 up eight-fold to 4.2 million in 2022," according to the same source.

"Europe has reported a surge in cases and Peru declared a state of emergency in most regions."

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However, international travelers in the U.S. who are looking for protection against this tropical infectious disease spread by mosquitoes will have to wait a little longer. 

On July 11, the Japanese drug-maker Takeda voluntarily withdrew its application to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its dengue vaccine candidate in the U.S. after the agency requested more data that the current trial could not capture, according to a press release. 

A dengue vaccine from the company is already approved in multiple endemic and non-endemic areas, such as the European Union, United Kingdom, Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia and Thailand.

There is only one dengue vaccine approved by the FDA in the U.S., but it is indicated only for children and teenagers ages six to 16 living in endemic areas — mainly Puerto Rico — who have previously had the infection.

The World Health Organization listed dengue fever as one of the top 10 threats to global health in 2019.

Roughly half the world’s population, or about 4 billion people, live in places that are at risk for dengue fever, with some 400 million people infected every year.

One country, Peru, is currently battling its worst outbreak in history.

"Dengue is occurring in urban areas where it did not exist before," Dr. Coralith García, associate professor at the school of medicine at Cayetano Heredia University in Lima, Peru, told Fox News Digital. 

Experts blame warmer temperatures and increased rainfall, but even in Lima, the second largest desert city in the world, dengue is flourishing because "it’s so crowded that anything can happen," she added.

"But Peru had the highest COVID mortality rate [in] the world and now we have several patients dying of dengue, confirming that the Peruvian health system is very weak." 

Most Americans get infected with dengue fever while traveling internationally. 

Yet it can spread locally in several states with hot, humid climates, such as Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and Arizona — although this is not common, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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From January to June 1 of this year, there were 129 reported cases in the U.S. and 256 reported cases in Puerto Rico, according to the CDC.

Dengue fever is caused by four viruses: dengue virus 1, 2, 3, and 4. 

It is spread primarily by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which bites generally during the day, per the CDC.

A person can get infected as many as four times because one virus strain only confers immunity against that specific serotype; people are at higher risk for a life-threatening condition called dengue hemorrhagic fever when they are infected twice, per the CDC.

About one in four people with dengue fever become sick, which can be either a mild or severe illness; but some 40,000 die from severe disease every year, according to the CDC.

Dengue fever is the leading cause of fever among returning travelers to Europe from all continents except Africa, according to a recent study on the tropical disease.

International travelers often complain of a fever with dengue within two weeks after returning home, but symptoms generally resolve within one week.

Dengue has 3 phases of disease: 1) fever phase; 2) critical phase; and 3) recovery phase.

The fever phase, named after its most common symptom, is characterized by severe joint pain and headaches, but most patients recover without complications, Dr. David O. Freedman, professor emeritus of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, told Fox News Digital.

The disease’s hallmark bone and joint pains have earned it the nickname "breakbone fever."

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"In a small proportion of patients, just as the fever is resolving, a second critical phase develops where fluid leaks out of the circulation and gets into body spaces, such as the chest and abdominal cavities," he added. 

During this phase, the blood pressure drops; severe bleeding may also occur.

Freedman recommends watching for abdominal pain or tenderness; 2) persistent vomiting; 3) fluid in body spaces; 4) bleeding from the mouth or rectum; and 5) lethargy and restlessness.

Any of these combined with a fever increase the likelihood of patients becoming very sick and needing to be hospitalized.

He also reminds people that "a total body rash often develops during the critical or early recovery phase."

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Freedman noted, "If the patient survives the critical phase usually with medical intervention, the third phase, recovery, occurs about 3-4 days after that."

A recent paper analyzed nearly 6,000 returning travelers with dengue using the GeoSentinel network surveillance platform.

The network is a collaboration between the CDC and the International Society of Travel Medicine. It monitors infectious diseases in 29 countries on six continents that affect international travelers and migrants.

The researchers looked at the patients with dengue fever, which was relatively mild illness without any complications, or "complicated dengue," which included those who had warning signs or severe illness.

They found only 2% of dengue cases were considered "complicated," but approximately 99% had warning signs, with 31% classified as severe.

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"Most of the time it is an uncomplicated course," lead author Ralph Huits, M.D., PhD, department of infectious tropical diseases and microbiology at IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital in Negrar, Verona, Italy, told Fox News Digital. 

"You can feel very sick, such as [with] a headache, anorexia, but then get better," he added.

"But some 2% of travelers can have a severe dengue," he continued.

"What you should remember is if you have any of the warning signs, then you or the doctor should monitor them very closely, preferably by hospitalization."

Preparations are underway for the construction of a modern waste water treatment plant for Georgetown and bring an end to the dumping of that type of waste into the Demerara River and Atlantic sea, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal said Saturday. He said the US$36 million effluent treatment plant, which would probably be ...

“Despite our patriotic pride of referring to our nation as one of the safest spots on the planet, we cannot bury our heads in the sand and ignore nor doubt the numbers”

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Barbados Cancer Support Services (CSS) is continuing its close association with Ward C12 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Its most recent act was the handing over of a set of equipment and supplies to be used in the care of the terminally-ill.

During the recent presentation ceremony held at the Dayrells Road, Christ Church facility Henderson Pinder, Director of Nursing at the QEH, expressed his appreciation for the much-needed equipment and supplies provided by CSS.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November last year, the group committed to continuing its support for the ward.

Included in the package were an aspirator, a commode, linens, pampers and incontinence pads. 

Pinder said the linens are all custom embroidered with the logo of the Cancer Support Services and would help with the management of linen on the ward.

“Each ward has specific markings for their sheets, and we want to give the assurance that the sheets with this logo will be used on Ward C12,” Pinder explained.

Since the signing of the MOU both the staff and patients at the QEH have been the recipients of significant benefits, according to Pinder.

Lisa Dodson, a nursing officer actively involved with the ward, expressed her gratitude for the donation. She acknowledged that the aspirator and commode would address some of the equipment shortages and challenges on C12.

“The aspirator is particularly important to us as we have been facing a shortage of these machines. It is primarily used for suction in cases where individuals may be unable to swallow or have an accumulation of fluid. It will greatly benefit us,” Dodson remarked. 

“We are thankful for the ongoing donations from Cancer Support Services and hope for your continued support in future endeavours.” 

In addition to thanking CSS for the continued support, Pinder revealed that the organisations are looking to strengthen their partnership.

“The support that they continue to give to us has been tremendous. We were looking at how we could strengthen and further programmes between the two organisations and how we could make it better for each of us as we try to achieve the goal of better patient care,” Pinder stated. 

Speaking briefly during the handing over of the equipment, Antoine Williams, the public relations officer of the CSS, emphasised the significance of the donation in strengthening the valuable relationship between his organisation and the QEH.

He said the MOU highlights the viable relationship with the hospital which allows Cancer Support Services to work with the institution in the care of patients. 

Furthermore, Williams encouraged corporate entities in Barbados to join CSS and other stakeholders in extending support to the QEH, as he stressed the importance of collective efforts in assisting the hospital. (BB)

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Breast milk has always played a pivotal role in nurturing newborn babies, building natural immunity, and providing a unique blend of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Speaking at the 7th Annual General Meeting of the Breastfeeding & Child Nutrition Foundation at the Sandy Lane Hotel on Saturday, July 15, Dr Sonia Browne, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health & Wellness, emphasised the potential of breastfeeding in mitigating the risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases in children throughout their lives.

Dr Browne highlighted that breastfed children experience a reduced risk of developing various conditions including but not limited to, asthma, severe respiratory diseases, obesity, ear infections, and gastrointestinal infections. She explained that breastfeeding also fosters a profound bond between mother and child while offering numerous benefits to the mother such as a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, breast and ovarian cancer, and postpartum weight loss. 

Expressing her admiration for the Breastfeeding & Child Nutrition Foundation’s initiatives, Dr Browne acknowledged their efforts in empowering women and promoting effective breastfeeding practices. 

“I am particularly impressed by the many initiatives of the Foundation…including programmes such as the Baby and Me Breastfeeding Support Group, the Baby and Me WhatsApp Group, breastfeeding classes and consultations, advocacy for breastfeeding-friendly workshop policies, and community outreach.”

Echoing her sentiments, Dr Alison Bernard, the Executive Director of the Breastfeeding & Child Nutrition Foundation, commented, “We came up with this year’s theme, Achieving our Vision: Building Community Capacity for the Future, very quickly, because empowering our beneficiaries to optimise their children’s nutrition is a high-priority objective for the BCNF.”

Providing families with the necessary tools, education, and skills to improve their children’s nutrition lies at the core of the organisation’s mission.

 Dr. Bernard further stressed the need for employers to implement supportive measures for new mothers in the workplace, including the provision of clean and private spaces for pumping and storing breast milk. She advocated for flexible work hours and remote work options, which can lead to benefits for employers such as decreased absenteeism, improved productivity, employee satisfaction, retention, and reduced medical insurance claims.

Recognising the significance of breastfeeding on public health and well-being, the World Health Assembly has set a target of achieving a breastfeeding rate of at least 50 per cent by 2025. However, a critical aspect lacking in Barbados’ breastfeeding efforts is up-to-date breastfeeding data. The last available data is from 2012, which hinders accurate assessment and progress tracking on a national level. The Breastfeeding & Child Nutrition Foundation urges the ministry to prioritise the collection of current and comprehensive breastfeeding data, stressing the need for understanding breastfeeding practices, duration, and the transition to solid foods.

Breastfeeding plays a vital role in the development and long-term health of children, and it is essential to support and encourage breastfeeding practices at all levels. By championing breastfeeding and empowering mothers, Barbados can enhance the well-being of its population and achieve lasting positive impacts. It is estimated that for every $1 spent on breastfeeding, there is a return on investment of $35, and upscaling breastfeeding globally could potentially save $300 billion annually. Implementing a range of policies and actions will allow Barbados to reach national and international health goals for the population.

The post Breastfeeding critical for child development and long-term health appeared first on Barbados Today.

Speaking at the 7th Annual General Meeting of the Breastfeeding & Child Nutrition Foundation at the Sandy Lane Hotel on Saturday, July 15, Dr Sonia Browne, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health & Wellness, emphasised the potential of breastfeeding in mitigating the risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases in children throughout their lives.

Dr Browne highlighted that breastfed children experience a reduced risk of developing various conditions including but not limited to, asthma, severe respiratory diseases, obesity, ear infections, and gastrointestinal infections. She explained that breastfeeding also fosters a profound bond between mother and child while offering numerous benefits to the mother such as a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, breast and ovarian cancer, and postpartum weight loss. 

Expressing her admiration for the Breastfeeding & Child Nutrition Foundation’s initiatives, Dr Browne acknowledged their efforts in empowering women and promoting effective breastfeeding practices. 

“I am particularly impressed by the many initiatives of the Foundation…including programmes such as the Baby and Me Breastfeeding Support Group, the Baby and Me WhatsApp Group, breastfeeding classes and consultations, advocacy for breastfeeding-friendly workshop policies, and community outreach.”

Echoing her sentiments, Dr Alison Bernard, the Executive Director of the Breastfeeding & Child Nutrition Foundation, commented, “We came up with this year’s theme, Achieving our Vision: Building Community Capacity for the Future, very quickly, because empowering our beneficiaries to optimise their children’s nutrition is a high-priority objective for the BCNF.”

Providing families with the necessary tools, education, and skills to improve their children’s nutrition lies at the core of the organisation’s mission.

 Dr. Bernard further stressed the need for employers to implement supportive measures for new mothers in the workplace, including the provision of clean and private spaces for pumping and storing breast milk. She advocated for flexible work hours and remote work options, which can lead to benefits for employers such as decreased absenteeism, improved productivity, employee satisfaction, retention, and reduced medical insurance claims.

Recognising the significance of breastfeeding on public health and well-being, the World Health Assembly has set a target of achieving a breastfeeding rate of at least 50 per cent by 2025. However, a critical aspect lacking in Barbados’ breastfeeding efforts is up-to-date breastfeeding data. The last available data is from 2012, which hinders accurate assessment and progress tracking on a national level. The Breastfeeding & Child Nutrition Foundation urges the ministry to prioritise the collection of current and comprehensive breastfeeding data, stressing the need for understanding breastfeeding practices, duration, and the transition to solid foods.

Breastfeeding plays a vital role in the development and long-term health of children, and it is essential to support and encourage breastfeeding practices at all levels. By championing breastfeeding and empowering mothers, Barbados can enhance the well-being of its population and achieve lasting positive impacts. It is estimated that for every $1 spent on breastfeeding, there is a return on investment of $35, and upscaling breastfeeding globally could potentially save $300 billion annually. Implementing a range of policies and actions will allow Barbados to reach national and international health goals for the population.

The post Breastfeeding critical for child development and long-term health appeared first on Barbados Today.

Santo Domingo.- Scientists and laboratory personnel in the Dominican Republic are participating in a biosafety and biosecurity course aimed at strengthening their capacities and raising awareness about preventing the proliferation of biological weapons and their delivery systems. The course, coordinated by the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE), is being held with the support of the Ministry of Defense. It focuses on UN Security Council Resolution 1540 and the Biological Weapons Convention.

During the course’s opening, Ambassador Aracelia Azuara emphasized the importance of proper and safe handling of biological components to protect lives and the need for strong scientific networks with well-trained technical personnel. She also mentioned the uncertainties surrounding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and the concern over potential biological weapons.

Brigadier General Francisco Ovalle Pichardo, the national contact point for Resolution 1540, highlighted the evolving nature of warfare, including hybrid conflicts and media-based wars facilitated by social networks. He reaffirmed the Dominican Republic’s commitment to security, peace, and the agreements under the Biological Weapons Convention.

José Antonio Matos, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public Health, and Enya Daniela Ramírez Castillo of CICTE stressed the importance of increasing knowledge and training high-level officials to prevent and control biological weapons, ensuring a safer country.

The course also covers crisis management exercises for biological accidents, the treatment of epidemics like H1N1, and a comprehensive review of Resolution 1540 based on the events of 2016. The aim is to strengthen capabilities and promote a safer environment in the face of biological threats.