Chikungunya Talks’, a forum hosted by the Natural History Museum of Jamaica (NHMJ) on Tuesday October 7 at the Institute of Jamaica Lecture Hall, focused on a number of issues, facts and myths related to the disease.

‘Chickengunya’, ‘Chik-gun-ya’ ‘CHIKV’, ‘Chicken-gonorrhoea’, whatever you label the disease; it has arrived on our shores and will be here indefinitely. Environmental health specialist at the Ministry of Health, Colin Cooper echoed this message throughout his presentation.

According to Cooper, the disease is “like sin”; it is now intrinsic in our environment and its carriers will be here for a very long time. The Environmental Health Specialist encouraged the public to be mindful of the fact that mosquitoes are “the most expensive insects on earth” and can cause significant economic loss.

Consultant microbiologist at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UWI), Dr Glendee Reynolds-Campbell, who also spoke at the forum, gave a complete historical background of the disease, noting that it was first discovered in 1779, debunking the myth that Chikungunya is a new virus.

Dr Reynolds-Campbell explained that the type of virus strain, which currently exists in Jamaica, is the Asian strain and not the West African and South and Central African strains as some would believe.

Turning to the matter of treatment, the UWI microbiologist demystified the myth that Panadol and other rural remedies are cures for the disease.

The forum noted that a cure may not exist, but prevention is still quite necessary.

Meanwhile Cooper discussed in detail several breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries the Chikungunya virus, urging citizens to eliminate these breeding sites which include laundry tanks, water drums and even pet dishes.

The Environmental Health Specialist sought to set the record straight regarding the popular misconception that these mosquitoes only breed in dirty, stagnant water.

Stacy-Lee Bennet, sales supervisor of Starfish Oils, spoke about her company’s all natural ‘No Mosquito’ body spray and candle, which contained essential oils such as Lemongrass and Citronella to keep the mosquitoes at bay.

The programme included a showing of the popular music video Chikungunya by Wayne J, welcome and opening remarks by Tracy Commock, director of NHMJ and closing remarks by Elizabeth Morrison, a zoologist at the NHMJ.

Dionne Newell, entomologist at the NHMJ provided information on the professional affiliations of the speakers.

The NHMJ is the science arm of the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ). The division is responsible for collecting, researching, documenting, and disseminating information on the natural heritage of Jamaica; particularly the flora, fauna and their habitats in the ecosystem.