According to Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton, a tourist reportedly entered the Territory some time last week and was diagnosed with the H1N1 (Swine Flu) Virus. Photo: VINO

Hon. Skelton made the disclosure while reading a bill titled "Infections Notifications (Act) 2012" today, April 8, 2013 during day two of the Seventh sitting of the second session of the Second House of Assembly. Photo: VINO/File

While reading a bill titled "Infectious Diseases Notifications (Act) 2012" today, April 8, 2013 during day two of the Seventh sitting of the second session of the Second House of Assembly the Minister stated, "...last week we had... there was someone I understand that was diagnosed here with the H1N1 virus off a cruise ship, so we know that it doesn't take long for diseases to cross our borders."

Hon. Skelton did not give any further details about the person diagnosed or any measures of precaution announced within the Territory following the alleged diagnosis.

At the Ministry of Health, Hon. Skelton stated, "our responsibility is to protect the health of our people from all of these things."

Premier Dr. The Hon. D. Orlando Smith, Hon. Archibald C. Christian, Hon. Delores Christopher and Hon. Andrew A. Fahie, legislators from both the Government and Opposition sides of the aisle, later rose in support of the bill.

The bill was given its second reading by the Minister, even as he reiterated the significance of safeguarding the community from the spread of infectious diseases and other similar public health threats.

He stated, "As a progressive society, this requires us to put effective measures in place to protect our citizens and residents."

Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton, disclosed that it was only reported today, that five persons have died from among 14 confirmed cases in China of a new strain of bird flu which is also identified as the H7N9 virus.

He also spoke about the H1N1 (Swine Flu) Virus which killed an estimated 284,500 people when it swept across the globe a few years ago.

The Infectious Disease Ordinance was first enacted over 100 years ago in 1900, and this was the primary legislation that dealt with the prevention and control of infectious diseases in the Virgin Islands, according to Hon. Skelton.

"Madam Speaker, in an effort to remain up to date with the emergence and re-emergence of resistant strains of infectious diseases," Hon. Skelton said, "a bill was passed in June 2011 to bring the Territory into compliance with these international requirements."

He stated that the Act did not, however, receive the Governor's assent and was therefore not brought into force.

Hon. Skelton told the House that the Governor's objection was based on the argument that third party reporting obligations and attendant penalties should not apply in respect of all the diseases of the earlier mention of the bill (2011). He noted that particular mention was made of diseases such as HIV\Aids.

The bill has seventeen (17) clauses and expands the responsibilities of Healthcare professionals to notify the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of suspected or confirmed cases of the diseases listed in the schedule of the bill.

The bill also empowers the CMO to require any person who is or is suspected to be a carrier of an infectious disease, to submit to medical examination or medical treatment within or at a specified time.

Legislators then retreated to the Committee stage to further examine the bill on a clause by clause basis after its second reading was moved and seconded.