Campbell-Forrester

The recent outbreak of swine flu - a never-before-seen virus - in Mexico, United States and numerous countries across the globe has caused Jamaicans, already hit by an economic tsunami, to be on the edge.

"No, we just cannot deal with a swine flu outbreak in Jamaica, given all the other problems that we have," Kadien Johnson, a resident in St Andrew, told Saturday Life.

She added: "The global recession has resulted in several persons losing their jobs. The Government has increased taxes on fuel and food, and now swine flu. Nope, thisis not something that we can deal with so hopefully we don't have any cases here."

Johnson's concern has echoed across Jamaica but Dr Sheila Campbell-Forrester, the island's chief medical officer of health, said Friday there was no need for panic.

She noted that there were three levels of the virus: mild, moderate and severe.

"We have had influenza before, not of this kind, but we were able to cope. That's why the guidance is so important. If you are feeling sick, then go to the doctor," she said.

"People should not panic. We are very confident that we are on top of the situation," she told Saturday Life.

Swine influenza is a respiratory illness that is caused by the influenza A virus. It is transmitted from infected pigs and also by human-to-human contact. Up to Thursday, there were 109 lab-confirmed US cases of the new influenza. There are 168 suspected swine flu deaths and almost 2,500 suspected cases in Mexico.

The World Health Organisation raised its current alert from Phase Four to Five. This means that there is human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries and a pandemic is deemed imminent.

But despite appeals for calm, Sonya Blake, a Kingston resident, said she was concerned because she does not believe that the health system would be able to cope if an outbreak of the influenza A H1NI virus gets here.

"One thing I know is that if swine flu comes here, the productivity level is going to be reduced because a lot of people are going to stay away from work, even if they are not ill because they will be fearful that they might just catch this deadly flu virus."

Rashalee Mitchell, who said she has been tracking news of the virus on Internet and cable TV channels, said she was very worried.

No vaccine

"There is no vaccine for this flu virus and the fact that it is spreading so rapidly is cause for concern," she told Saturday Life.

The Ministry of Health this week said it is to spend $12 million in the initial stage of its efforts to prevent the outbreak of swine flu in Jamaica. A big portion of that money is to purchase 1,000 doses of two antiviral drugs, Tamiflu and Zanamivir, which are recommended for the treatment and prevention of the disease.

Campbell-Forrester said state officials would take tougher measures if public safety is at risk. "If we have cases and we need to close schools, then we will," she said.

The chief medical officer said Jamaica has 340 health centres, 23 hospitals and hundreds of private practices, noting that everyone should have some degree of access if cases are identified.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com