Health officials have neither confirmed nor denied reports that scabies is behind the outbreak of a contagious skin condition affecting patients at the Geriatric Hospital, as frontline staff await definitive answers.

However, Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George has confirmed that it is “a dermatological condition”.

A private dermatologist conducted an in-depth assessment of affected patients at the Beckles Road, St Michael, facility on Monday, in an effort to identify the cause of the outbreak.

“Well, I can’t confirm,” Dr George told Barbados TODAY in an interview on Monday regarding the speculation about a scabies diagnosis. “What I would say is that the dermatologist will come in to see the patients today. And I believe that, in the interest of [the public], I think we need to wait and see what that [the skin condition] is. That is what I could say at this time—that it is a dermatological condition and we are getting an expert to come in and make a determination.”

Asked whether the situation was under control, he replied: “Yes, I’m meeting with the team today. If I have more information I will share. We have had this before . . . . People could say what they want to say. We have had outbreaks in the Geriatric [Hospital] before; we tried to contain it as quickly as possible.

“But it’s not something that I’m going to lose sleepless nights over because we’re going to sort it out. I said a week to ten days [in terms of updating the public] and I stand by what I said.”

Last Friday, the Ministry of Health confirmed that nine patients were being treated for a skin condition associated with an infectious outbreak at the hospital. According to a press release, treatment has also begun for staff members exhibiting “unusual symptoms”.

The ministry stated that it had activated its National Infection Prevention and Control Plan across all geriatric institutions on the island as a precaution, while suspending public visits to Units 1 and 2 of the hospital until further notice.

Although officials have yet to formally identify the disease, a well-placed source connected to the hospital said that the condition is believed to be scabies, and that patients received treatment over the weekend.

Scabies is a highly contagious skin condition caused by infestation with the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, a microscopic parasite that burrows into the skin to lay eggs. The infestation triggers an allergic reaction in the host, leading to intense itching and a pimple-like rash. The condition spreads most commonly through prolonged direct contact and is particularly prevalent in settings such as nursing homes, where close contact and shared spaces are unavoidable. 

(SZB)

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Santo Domingo.- Sargassum levels in the Atlantic have reached a record-breaking 31 million tons, surpassing the previous high of 24 million, raising serious concerns among Caribbean scientists and coastal communities. Oceanographer Elena Martínez Martínez, co-founder of SOS Biotech, explained that this seaweed is now concentrated in a massive region called the Sargassum Belt, which stretches about 9,000 kilometers—nearly seven times the size of Spain. This area has expanded rapidly over the past five years.

Martínez noted that ocean currents are pushing the sargassum toward the Caribbean, intensifying its impact on the region. The phenomenon’s growth is linked to multiple factors, including rising ocean temperatures, increased atmospheric CO₂, and nutrient runoff from agricultural fertilizers. She also pointed out that Saharan dust, rich in micronutrients like iron, contributes to the problem.

Despite growing concerns, predicting the spread of sargassum remains difficult. Martínez admitted that current forecasting tools are inadequate and that sargassum has reached areas previously thought to be unaffected. For now, the main method of monitoring involves coastal sightings and emergency collection efforts to prevent it from damaging beaches.

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Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Saturday said there was no increase in the number of COVID-19 cases but publicly-owned hospitals have been told to be on alert so that tests could be done to detect a new strain. He said globally, a new COVID-19 strain, NB 1.8.1, was now circulating and causing some hospitalisations ...

Dominican women usually live in diverse conditions that affect their health. The most frequent are type II diabetes, breast cancer, cervix, mental health disorders, and arterial hypertension.

Addressing these problems requires comprehensive actions aimed at promoting healthy habits, which is the central theme of Bulletin number 20, published by the Ministry of Health.

Women’s health encompasses that of the entire family environment, which is why it is prioritized.

Health is a fundamental human right, and today, it is recognized that not only biology is related to health, but also social determinants, the socio-economic, environmental, and political decisions, according to the official document.

Health policies
It is considered essential in life.
Women to have integral health require regular access to medical controls, sexual and reproductive health education, and comprehensive, timely, and humanized services.

Strategies

The official document confirms that the Maternal Child Program has developed strategies aimed at enhancing the health of women.

Official actions
It works to update care protocols during pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium, strengthen emergency obstetric care and training for obstetricians and residents, and promote obstetric post-event contraception.

In addition, active monitoring of maternal mortality is conducted through the activation of provincial committees and surveillance of avoidable cases. The Ministry of Health insists that work in education in nutrition and sexual health for pregnant women, alcohol syndrome prevention campaigns Fetal (SAF), and alarm signs during pregnancy.

Accompaniment in the stage of gestation, mainly in the communities of limited economic resources.

Gaps persist
Gaps and challenges persist. In 2023, a consensus was established to prioritize the health of women with actions that involve education, economic development, social protection, and the development of a normative framework. For this, the effort of all sectors of society is required, including women themselves as active protagonists of the change, the Ministry of Health assures in their argument.

The institutional response to women’s health challenges extends to the entire national health system, insists public health

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The Ministry of Health and Wellness is currently investigating suspected cases of an infectious skin disease in a section of the Geriatric Hospital.

It said in a statement that it is using all available resources at its disposal, both within the public and private sectors to identify, treat and eradicate the problem at the Beckles Road, St Michael facility.

To contain any spread, the ministry has suspended visiting by members of the public to Units 1 and 2 of the hospital until further notice.

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The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Monday confirmed that the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge has been officially ruled a drowning, with no signs of foul play, according to the final postmortem report submitted today by the three internationally renowned pathologists to investigators. A comprehensive postmortem examination, including toxicology and DNA testing, was carried out ...