The health ministry is confirming that the south central parish of St Elizabeth is among those now experiencing the highest rates of Chikungunya (CHIKV) infection.

Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson told a town hall meeting in Mandeville last week that while the CHIKV infection had significantly declined in much of Jamaica “we are aware that in the middle of the island and more so St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover….the numbers are still rising….,”

Ferguson said some people may be mistaking a relapse — as a result of having been struck down by CHIKV — as being contraction of the virus a second time. The health minister reiterated that based on scientific evidence, the virus can only be contracted once.

Health officials at the forum said persons infected by CHIKV should not only take the medication prescribed by doctors but should have “complete rest” for the duration of the illness in order to avoid a worsening of their condition.

Ferguson said that particularly for individuals with pre-existing chronic conditions such as sickle cell anemia, diabetes and high blood pressure the impact of the virus may be more severe.

He advised that physiotherapy may also be necessary; and under the guidance of medical practitioners some patients may have to take medications other than those prescribed at the outset.

Regional Technical Director of the Southern Regional Health Authority Dr Michael Coombs said that one of the challenges has been to accurately document cases of CHIKV.

He said that in St Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon there have been a lot of “underreporting” as many people have chosen not to see a doctor.

The town hall meeting formed part of a series across the island, organised to educate the public on CHIKV and Ebola.

Ferguson said that he intends for public education on those and other health concerns to continue into 2015 and beyond.

“One of the big issues that we have had…. governments past and present have failed to have a sustained public education programme relative to health,” he said.

Mayor of Mandeville Brenda Ramsay said that the Manchester Parish Council, working in tandem with the health authorities, has to date expended $2.5 million towards vector control from a $5 million grant to the Manchester Parish Council as clean up efforts continue.

Coombs said individual and community empowerment has to start with children.

He said that adults should model proper behaviour such as how to dispose of solid waste.

— Alicia Sutherland