Focus less on the numbers and start acting responsibly
Dear Editor,
Allow me to try to clarify this chikungunya situation as it seems to me that many people do not understand how the figures are represented. If we look at how the figures for every Caribbean country is quoted laboratory and suspected cases are separated. When the Ministry says that there are 24 lab-confirmed cases, this simply means that of the number of samples sent to the lab for testing — 24 — came back positive for chikungunya. It does not mean that there are only 24 cases of the disease in Jamaica.
Allow me to try to clarify this chikungunya situation as it seems to me that many people do not understand how the figures are represented. If we look at how the figures for every Caribbean country is quoted laboratory and suspected cases are separated. When the Ministry says that there are 24 lab-confirmed cases, this simply means that of the number of samples sent to the lab for testing — 24 — came back positive for chikungunya. It does not mean that there are only 24 cases of the disease in Jamaica.
It is clear to me that there are more than 24 cases of chikungunya in Jamaica but it also seems that every fever and joint pain is now considered chikungunya. Dengue, flu and the range of other viral illnesses that cause similar symptoms seem to not exist in Jamaica right now. Chikungunya rules! It would be foolhardy and indeed expensive for the Ministry of Health to test everyone with symptoms as that is simply not necessary. If I have chikungunya and my family members experience the same symptoms I personally would not pay to test all of us. It would make no sense — financial and otherwise.
While I think perhaps the ministry can also report the number of suspected cases, I do believe this business of numbers is clouding what should be the real concern. Jamaicans need to take responsibility for their health. The Government should not have to come to your home to turn over a container breeding mosquitoes. If you know that you can get a virus from a mosquito, why would you not do everything you can to prevent it?
Alex Shaw
Kingston