The island country of Barbados, in the western area of the North Atlantic, has confirmed their first chikungunya case, according to health minister, John Boyce yesterday.
Minister Boyce said at a press conference: “Based on testing conducted by CARPHA (Caribbean Public Health Agency in Trinidad), Barbados has now recorded its first confirmed case of chikungunya. This was one of seven samples sent to CARPHA last week for testing. This is an ‘imported case’, which occurred in an individual who arrived in Barbados on May 25 and [who] has already travelled back to their home country.”
Since the first “locally acquired” case reported in December on St. Martin, Barbados has sent 62 samples to CARPHA taken from patients who were showing symptoms related to the disease.
In response, vector control measures were implemented last week based on the suspicion of chikungunya. Chief Environmental Health Officer, Tyrone Applewhaite, explained that within 48 hours of a suspected case of chikungunya being reported, his unit moves in to contain the possibility of spread by fogging the premises and surrounding areas to eradicate mosquitos, eggs and larvae.
Boyce also appealed to residents to assist the Government in its efforts by inspecting their premises weekly and eliminating all potential mosquito breeding places. Control measures include spraying inside homes with insect repellent and getting rid of buckets, tires and coconut shells. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page.
