October 29 - November 4, 2016
NEWS 11
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
No new zika cases in TCI BY OLIVIA ROSE THERE HAVE been no new confirmed cases of the Zika virus in the Turks and Caicos Islands according to the Ministry of Health. Since the Ministry of Health ramped up Zika prevention programs across the Turks and Caicos Islands no new cases of the infection has surfaced since September 20, 2016. While other countries in the region have continued to experience daily or weekly confirmations of Zika virus infection, the TCI has not had the same experience. The count remains at a total of 12 confirmed cases. During a press conference held at the Premier`s Office, Hilly Ewing Building on Monday, October 24, the Government updated the media on its efforts to combat the dreaded virus. It was noted that every precautionary measure continues to be taken to enhance prevention and control measures. According to the Government, there is a vigorous action plan in place to deal with households where Zika infection has been confirmed to combat the further spread of Zika to other members of the same household. “All cases of Zika infection are on the island of Providenciales with no areas of concentration. The recently approved funding in the sum of $500k towards the management of Zika in the TCI by the Government will be utilized to strengthen efforts aimed at mitigating
Premier and Minister of Health, Rufus Ewing
the impact of the Zika virus. “The Environmental Health Department continues to conduct premises inspections, school visits, swamp monitoring, fogging activities and the distribution of mosquito repellents to households. The removal of derelict vehicles also continues throughout the islands. “The department has also received 2400 mosquito larvicide briquettes and purchased an additional 330 gallons of fogging chemicals. “The department also purchased 100 in2care traps to aid in the fight against zika. “Three temporary vector control officers have been hired; one on the island of North Caicos and two in
Aedes aegypti mosquito(Zika mosquito)
Grand Turk.” Residents are reminded to keep their premises and surroundings clean as waste which is not properly disposed of can collect water and become mosquito breeding sites. The National Epidemiology and Research Unit within the MHAHS has since hosted three workshops on vector borne diseases targeted at a variety of stakeholders including health care professionals from the public and private sector and continues to conduct its surveillance activities. “Because of the ability of the Zika virus to affect an unborn baby possibly resulting in microcephaly and other neurological and developmental complications,
pregnant women should take special precautions to ensure that they are not bitten by mosquitoes. “Mosquito nets are available for all pregnant women and can be collected from all Primary Health Care clinics throughout the TCI. “Additional precautions should be taken to prevent mosquito bites when travelling to Zika affected areas and countries.” Premier and Minister of Health Rufus Ewing, has cautioned residents and tourists alike to use approved repellents when outdoors. He also urged communities to play their part to take immediate steps to help stop Zika by eliminating all mosquito breeding and potential
breeding sites. Zika is a viral illness, which is spread by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. This mosquito is found in the TCI. Most persons with Zika are not aware that they have the illness as they may not have any symptoms. Symptoms of Zika are similar to Dengue and Chikungunya and appear between four to seven days after someone has been bitten by an infected mosquito. These symptoms include skin rash, mild fever, conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye), muscle or joint pain, and general malaise. There is no specific medication to treat Zika and there are currently no vaccines to prevent the illness.
Sand Jam to continue raising funds to benefit government high school choirs BY DAISY HANDFIELD FUNDS raised from the second annual reggae concert, called Sand Jam, will go towards improving the choir programs at the Clement Howell and the Long Bay High School. These improvements fall under a non-profit called Music is Life, which was created by the organizers of Sand Jam to advance Government schools’ choir programs throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. A press conference was held at Flamingo Café on the Beach in Providenciales on Tuesday to discuss the line-up for this year’s event. Donna Davis, co-founder of Sand
Jam, explained during the conference that she and co-founder Karen Whitt, came to the realization that there was not any music foundations in the TCI that supported children who are talented in music, but do not have the opportunity or means to pursue their careers further. She said: “This festival was born out of a true desire for us to be able to give back to the community and to help these children develop their music talent. There is so much talent, and I say this all of the time… all of us have been given so much in this community, so to be able to give back and help this program advance will not return void.” During the press conference, the
organization took the opportunity to make a cheque donation for US $5,000 to the Clement Howell High School. These proceeds were derived from the funds raised from the first annual Sand Jam, last year. Kadean Cunningham, principal of the high school, who was present to accept the cheque, thanked the organization for kind their contribution. “This generous donation will definitely go a far way in buying some well needed equipment for our students to use, as well as doing some completion in the music room for our exam students. I must say a big thank you to the Sand Jam team, and I hope
Students from the Clement Howell performed a short musical piece during the press conference
that this is not the only one… I hope this is for years to come,” Principal Cunningham said. The music festival is scheduled for November 12 at Flamingo Café, at 3pm until late. Early birds can purchase tickets for US $10 at Sandbar and at Lemon
2 Go Coffee, both in Providenciales. Those who miss the special can purchase tickets at the gate for US $15. Sand Jam was designed to raise funds for the Music is Life program. For more information, Donna Davis can be contacted on 331-4755.