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What about health risks?

- concerns raised about possible disease outbreaks due to recent floods
A water logged area at the A.O. Shirley ground following the tropical wave on August 7, 2017. Photo: VINO/File
President of the Rotary Club of Tortola Karia J. Christopher (left) said the Rotary clubs have been in contact with the BVI Health Services Authority especially as they are concerned about the possibility of Zika and Chikungunya outbreaks. Photo: VINO/File
President of the Rotary Club of Tortola Karia J. Christopher (left) said the Rotary clubs have been in contact with the BVI Health Services Authority especially as they are concerned about the possibility of Zika and Chikungunya outbreaks. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - While all focus seems to be on getting the island of Tortola clean and back to normal, there are lingering worries about the possibility of outbreaks in illnesses especially due to the presence of heavy dust and breeding of mosquitoes.

The Rotary clubs were among the first to jump into action with the clean-up following the Monday August 7, 2017 flash flood that ripped through the island and while unveiling further relief and clean-up efforts at a press conference on August 11, 2017, a reporter asked about the health risks that are likely to arise.

Rotary Deputy District Governor Elvis J. Harrigan aka 'Juggie' said, "From a Rotary Standpoint, Rotary has what we call a disaster chair that sits on the DDM board in the person of Ryan Guluk, a past president. And each rotary club has a disaster chair also that collaborates with different organisations so they have information that would be channelled through those chairs, including with Red Cross."

Concerns about outbreaks in Mosquito borne diseases

Additionally, President of the Rotary Club of Tortola Karia J. Christopher assured that they are in contact with the BVI Health Services Authority especially as they are concerned about the possibility of Zika and Chikungunya outbreaks.

"Obviously we are not the body to champion the cause but we can push and they have been very receptive."

"Wear dust masks during clean-ups," says director of the BVI Red Cross Mrs Helen Frett as she said the air may be very polluted and the odour emanating from the mud, soak holes and others are potential hazards for airborne diseases.

In other sections, persons have been appealing for the authorities to be proactive about health issues that can potentially rise due to flood waters.

It is not clear at this time whether there has been any upsurge in diseases linked to the recent floods and the aftermath in the Territory.

15 Responses to “What about health risks?”

  • Concerned (14/08/2017, 10:52) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Zika, chikungunya, dengue from mosquitoes and hepatitis from all the raw sewage!!
  • cay (14/08/2017, 11:10) Like (11) Dislike (10) Reply
    See and the mo mo sent away the ship
  • tretretrete (14/08/2017, 13:36) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Rotary should contact the Ministry of Health and Social Development. The BVIHSA is for medical interventions should an outbreak occurs. On the other hand the MHSD deals with interventions to prevent outbreaks and surveillance. The Rotary needs to collaborate with the MHSD/Environmental Division to
    determine the plan going forward. You would think the Rotary would know who they have to collaborate with on such a public health issue.
  • wize up (14/08/2017, 20:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I say sewerage dust and that can't be good....
    • @ wize up (14/08/2017, 21:58) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Forget about dust where is the ship to help we????
      • Nowhere (14/08/2017, 23:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        When the ship was in port, people wanted them gone. Now you want their help? All you negative lazy people need to clean up your own Island.
        • ProudVirginIslanders (15/08/2017, 11:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          The Ship is not our ship. We are not dogs begging the UK for nothing. If we called for Ship, that same ship and its people will be sending messages and throwing it in our faces how they had to rescue us. When them hurdle down Captain Mulligans and Watering Hole, they would be talking about the VI even more. Our ears itching us enough already with their begrudgeousness. We will paddle our own canoe just like when they left us to live among the birds. Away with the ship!!
      • wize up (15/08/2017, 00:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ wize up: call Doc but that dust will make some people sick especially those respiratory issues...
  • tretretrete (15/08/2017, 07:56) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am at a loss, I know the Ministry of Health and whatever should have a Public Health Section. So shouldn't they have released a similar statement or any public information as to what we should do to protect ourselves or something.
  • fish (16/08/2017, 23:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    God help us.
  • Joc (17/08/2017, 13:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    What is the Ministry of Health doing??? Not a thing!!!



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