Barbados has recorded its first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV).

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that “a child less than 15-year-old residing in Bagatelle, St Thomas” tested positive for the virus last month and is still under care and recovering.

The WHO made the disclosure in a post in its Disease Outbreak News on Thursday, assuring that the overall risk to public health is “low”. Based on available information so far, it has not recommended any restrictions on travel and/or trade for Barbados.

WNV is a mosquito-borne virus that causes disease in humans, horses, and birds. It spreads to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, and it can make people sick and even cause death.

“This is the first human case of WNV infection detected in Barbados. Additionally, no infections have been previously documented in birds or horses in this country, making this case both unusual and unexpected,” the WHO said.

“However, the WNV has spread throughout the Caribbean, likely via infected migratory birds. It is possible that the virus is circulating in birds and horses undetected. Despite this, the overall impact on public health remains limited at this stage, as there is currently only one recorded human case and appropriate public health response measures have been implemented. WHO considers the current risk from WNV as low but will continue to evaluate the epidemiological situation in Barbados.”

According to the post, the International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) for Barbados notified WHO on September 13 of the confirmed infection.

Giving the details of the case, the WHO said that on June 10, the patient reported the onset of symptoms including headache, fever, vomiting, neck pain and painful knees, and visited a private clinic four days later. A test for dengue conducted on the same day was negative.

The patient was hospitalised on June 16 due to worsening of signs and symptoms, including joint pain, abdominal pain, altered mental status, and slurred speech. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis returned negative results for some bacterial and viral pathogens. Despite treatment, the patient’s condition worsened.

On September 3, blood samples were collected and sent to the Mayo Clinic in the United States for WNV testing. The presence of WNV antibodies was confirmed the following day.

“The patient is still under care and recovering,” the WHO said.

The child had reported visiting a horse stable in February and a beach frequented by horses on June 8, two days before symptom onset.

“Although these exposures to horses were considered risk factors for WNV infection, the precise source of infection remains unspecified,” the WHO said.

After confirmation of the case, the WHO said health authorities in Barbados conducted interviews with the patient’s parents to investigate risk factors such as exposure to animals known to carry WNV, recent travel history, and other relevant factors; and implemented ongoing epidemiological surveillance and testing to ensure no further cases are missed and to evaluate the potential risk of local transmission in the area.

“No other suspected cases of WNV were identified, but public health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely,” it said.

“The risk of international dissemination of WNV from Barbados is low. The virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites, with birds as the natural hosts. There is no evidence to suggest that WNV spreads easily between humans or from horses to mosquitoes. Therefore, the potential for widespread international transmission remains low.”

Symptoms of WNV include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat West Nile in people.

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Santo Domingo.- The Public Prosecutor’s Office has presented a report from the Comptroller General of the Republic as evidence in the Second Collegiate Court of the National District, highlighting irregularities in payments exceeding 310 million pesos related to purchasing processes during Wilfredo (Freddy) Hidalgo Núñez’s time as Minister of Public Health in 2013. Hidalgo is accused of being part of a corruption scheme that misappropriated over 4,500 million pesos, uncovered during Operation Pulpo.

Prosecutor Ernesto Guzmán Alberto indicated that Hidalgo improperly requested payment exemptions from the then-Comptroller General, Rafael Germosén. Auditor Amisael Félix Vicioso testified that the payment releases lacked the required signatures and did not comply with Law 340-06 on Purchases and Contracts. Irregularities included a lack of public bidding, improper timing of purchase authorizations, and no formal contracts for the transactions.

Witnesses, including auditors Rosa Iris Fanis and Carmen Magalys Baltazar Carpio, noted significant legal violations in the purchasing processes. The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 7, where the defense will continue cross-examining the witnesses.

Activity surrounding the largest walk-for-a-cause in the Eastern Caribbean is intensifying, as plans are confirmed for the Walk for the Cure.

Interest is high from corporate sponsors and their staff who are ready to take part in the walk, as well as the numerous vendors who will be on hand for the expected 20 000 people who will be either walking or running for the Breast Screening Programme of the Barbados Cancer Society.

Many of the sponsors and vendors were on hand for a recent site visit to see where they would physically set up their tents and banners and also get a final briefing on the route which starts at Warrens again this year.

(PR)

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Actor Johnny Depp, who was in Spain for the San Sebastian Film Festival, dressed as the famous character from the popular "Pirates of the Caribbean" film series and dropped into the Osakidetza Donostia University Hospital.

Depp visited the pediatric and oncology wards, where he interacted with the delighted children and their families.

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A spokesperson from the hospital described the actor’s visit as "exciting, endearing and unforgettable."

"Both the children admitted to the hospital and their families and professionals who were working at that time welcomed him with great enthusiasm and affection," the spokesperson said. 

"In a situation of illness, anyone, but especially children, greatly appreciates a distraction of this magnitude. It was a breath of fresh air, a magical moment in which they forgot about their illness and were transported to the magical world of pirates."

The entire hospital team, the admitted children and their families are all "enormously grateful" for Depp’s visit, the spokesperson said. 

"It has been a pleasure and an honor to have Jack Sparrow with us, a great pirate."

Harpreet Pall, MD, chair of pediatrics at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, confirmed that a celebrity role model visiting a children’s hospital can have a "meaningful impact" on the patients’ emotional health.

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"Some of the psychological benefits include improved self-esteem and confidence, distraction from illness, improved optimism and a morale boost," Pall told Fox News Digital. 

"A celebrity visit can create excitement and decrease some of the stress of being in the hospital."

The visit can also increase children’s engagement with their health care team, the doctor said, leading to better adherence to the treatment plan. 

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Pall added, "In addition, having a positive outlook and social interaction promotes healing for hospitalized children."

Santo Domingo.- The event, organized by Arium Salud Digital and the Communication and Public Relations firm AF Comunicación Estratégica, will feature participation and support from various public and private institutions.

The third edition of the Latin American Digital Health Congress, titled “Creating the Health of the Future,” will take place on October 9 and 10 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Santo Domingo. This event has received significant backing from stakeholders in the health sector’s digital transformation.

The Ministry of Public Health, Seguros Reservas, Inmotion, Koneksi, TCA, Madih, Farmaconal, Amadita Clinical Laboratory, Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago (HOMS), Humano Seguros, Unión Médica del Norte, Referencia Clinical Laboratory, and CEMDOE are among the sponsors of this edition of the congress.

Additionally, SKYTEL, IntraCare, Global Medica, General Hospital of Plaza de la Salud, Rehabilitation, UNITRADE, Grupo SID, Wellmed, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Médico Express, Mallen, Fortinet, Farmacia Carol, MAPFRE, CEDIMAT, ARS Futuro, INTCOMEX, and New York Presbyterian are supporting the event.

Regarding the support received, Fedor Vidal, CEO of Arium Salud Digital, stated that thanks to events of this magnitude, the Dominican Republic is taking a step forward in contributing to the digitalization of the health sector. The event will provide data on learnings and best practices, showing where the country stands compared to others, what needs improvement, and, most importantly, where it is heading as a nation.

Similarly, Amelia Reyes Mora, president of AF Comunicación Estratégica, highlighted the importance of the media in promoting and broadening the reach of this prestigious event, expressing gratitude to those who have joined the effort, such as: Listín Diario, Resumen de Salud, Medihealth, Technology, Revista Contacto, Factor de Éxito, Diario de Salud, RCC Media, Dia 91 FM, Dominican Today, and Revista GBLAM.

Thanks to the prestige gained in its previous two editions, the event will also have the endorsement of the Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS), the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR), Cámara TIC, the Dominican Institute for Quality (INDOCAL), Iberoamerican University (UNIBE), the Digital Agenda 2030, and the Dominican Health Association, ASADI.

The 3rd Latin American Digital Health Congress will be a platform where experts will discuss the challenges and future of the health industry, and the impact of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

For more information and registration, visit congresosaluddigital.com or call 809-563-2663.

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has brought severe flooding to the southeast.

With excess water in the home, there’s an increased risk of mold growth, which can lead to serious health risks.

As Hurricane Milton heads toward Florida, experts are once again issuing warnings about the dangers of mold exposure.

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Mold in your home can look like multicolored spots and can smell musty, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In an appearance on "Fox & Friends," Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel noted that wet walls can lead to mold that might not always be visible.

Siegel called out two "very serious molds" that he’s most worried about: black mold and aspergillus.

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Black mold can appear as black or dark green splotches, Siegel detailed.

Aspergillus is invasive and can cause aspergillosis, an infection that's usually respiratory, according to Mayo Clinic.

Mold can cause a variety of symptoms, such as stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, burning eyes and skin rash.

Both black mold and Aspergillus can provoke allergy symptoms and infections, as well as conditions like hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an allergic reaction that causes inflammation in the lungs, according to Siegel.

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Mold can also trigger breathing conditions like emphysema or asthma, the doctor added.

"I’m worried about people who are immunocompromised and have chronic illnesses," he said.

"It can be fatal if you’re immunocompromised or if you’ve had a transplant — you can get a severe case of infection from mold."

People with conditions like chronic lung disease can develop an infection in the lungs, the CDC stated.

Mold can develop in as little as 24 hours, Cleveland Clinic experts reported in a news release.

The sooner water damage is cleared up, the less risk there is for mold to grow, according to Maeve MacMurdo, MD, a pulmonologist for Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

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"Obviously, the sooner, the better, and it’s hard," she said in the release. "People are dealing with a lot, but cleaning up the water and mold remediation is a really big part of it."

For those who have regained power in their home, Siegel recommends plugging in a dehumidifier or air conditioner to dry out the space.

"Even if it’s cool outside, you want air-conditioning because you want to get rid of the humidity," he said. "The humidity is where mold grows."

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The doctor also recommends using bleach or vinegar to wipe down mold spots on walls – or hiring a professional to detect and remove mold.

"There are professional organizations that can spot the mold that’s hiding in the nooks and crannies," Siegel said.

For mold prevention, the CDC recommends keeping humidity levels at no higher than 50% in the home.

Air should "flow freely," helped by exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, according to the same source.

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Fixing leaks in the roof, walls and plumbing will help ensure that no moisture in the home turns into mold, experts advise.

The CDC also recommends not using carpet in rooms where there is more moisture, such as bathrooms and basements, and replacing carpets and upholstery that have been soaked.

When cleaning mold spots, never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners, the agency warned, as this will produce a poisonous gas.

It is best practice to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the bleach container's label, open windows to provide fresh air, and wear rubber boots, gloves and goggles during cleanup, experts advise.

People with persistent symptoms should seek medical attention, MacMurdo urged. 

While the flu season will bring temporary viruses, mold symptoms will continue to linger.