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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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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The Vector Control Unit will continue targeting mosquito-prone areas when it conducts its fogging exercise in four parishes this week.

On Monday the following St John and St Philip districts will be sprayed: College Savannah with avenues, Fortescue, St Mark’s, Consent Bay, Blades Hill, and Three Houses.

The Unit will turn its attention to St Michael on Tuesday. It will go into Station Hill, Goodings Road with avenues, Bellevue Gap, Deanes Village, and surrounding areas.

The team will visit St Joseph on Wednesday when they fog Gaggs Hill, Hillswick Road, Phillips Road, Cleavers Hill, Bathsheba, Elizabeth Village, St Elizabeth New Road, Foster Hall, and environs.

The Unit will return to that parish on Thursday, October 3, and will target Blackman’s Tenantry, Horse Hill, Blackman’s Development, Tourville, Bonwell Road, Surinam Road, Nos. 1 to 3 Vaughn Road, and Quarry Road.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude on Friday, October 4, when the team fogs Carlton Terrace, Straker Road, Black Road Main Road, Spring Garden Nos. 1 to 2, Retreat Terrace, Hinkson Gap, Danesbury Road, and Brighton Road.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Children should not be allowed to play in the spray.

Members of the public are advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time. (PR)

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One of the most notable developments is the progress in nurse practitioner training, a critical step for the advancement of nursing in Barbados. According to the President of the Barbados Nurses Association (BNA), Dr Fay Parris, the government has identified a foreign university that will facilitate the training of Barbadian nurses in advanced practice roles. This initiative aims to create a stronger health-care workforce by equipping local nurses with specialised skills.

“We have moved a lot further because the government of Barbados has identified an education university overseas where they will offer Barbadian nurses the opportunity to become nurse practitioners,” the BNA president said. This collaboration is expected to expand the local talent pool of nurse practitioners, who are essential in providing higher-level care in the country’s health-care facilities.

Already, some Barbadian nurses have qualified as nurse practitioners, and the initiative has sparked significant interest among others. 

Parris noted, “We have some Barbadian nurses who are already nurse practitioners, and we have had a lot of interest in the programme because so far, the Ministry of Health and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) have sought to find out from persons their expression of interest in the programme. So, we are moving forward with that programme.”

Currently, Barbados has several clinical nurse specialists, focusing on areas such as education and geriatrics. These advanced practice nurses are playing a crucial role in specialised care, and Parris stressed that more advanced practice nurses are on the horizon. “We are moving forward with having advanced practice nurses,” she said, underscoring the importance of this initiative for the future of nursing in Barbados.

Alongside the strides in advanced nurse training, Barbados is tackling a significant challenge: the shortage of nurses. Parris acknowledged that while the shortage has been a persistent issue, efforts are being made to ensure that health-care standards remain high, particularly in ensuring that every patient receives the care they need. One of the key barriers to addressing the shortage is the time it takes to train new nurses. 

“With that in mind, we know it takes four years to produce a registered nurse. So therefore, we would have had to seek assistance from outside of the island to complement in numbers,” she explained. Barbados has had to rely on external support in the short term to meet the immediate demands in health care.

However, the long-term strategy remains focused on bolstering the local workforce. Efforts to train more nurses locally have begun to bear fruit. Parris highlighted a significant improvement in the pass rates of nursing students in the regional examination — a crucial step in increasing the number of qualified nurses entering the health-care system.

“You would have noted some years ago there was an issue with the pass mark at regional examinations. And that has improved quite significantly. Our numbers are up in the 80s and 90s percentage of pass now,” she revealed. “So that would mean that we have a greater number of nurses leaving the programme to be employed.” This improvement means that Barbados is set to produce a more consistent flow of new nurses into its health-care system in the coming years.

Despite this progress, there remain challenges, particularly for those students who do not pass the regional examination on the first attempt. Recognising this, the government and the BNA are exploring alternative pathways to ensure that even those who initially struggle can eventually join the nursing profession. “We are also looking at some nurses who were not able to pass the exam. We are providing other avenues for that to occur,” Parris noted.

To further secure the future of Barbados’ health-care workforce, the government is also taking steps to ensure that newly trained nurses remain in the country after completing their education. She confirmed that discussions have been ongoing between the BNA and the Ministry of Health and Wellness regarding the bonding of nursing students — a system designed to guarantee that nurses serve in Barbados for a period of time after receiving government-funded education. (RG)

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The Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness will be stepping up its mosquito reduction exercise by visiting six parishes this week.

On Monday the team will target areas in St John and St Philip. These include College Savannah with avenues, Fortescue, St Mark’s, Consent Bay, Blades Hill, and Three Houses.

The next day the following districts in St Michael, will be sprayed: Station Hill, Goodings Road with avenues, Bellevue Gap, and Deane’s Village.

The Unit will go into Christ Church on Wednesday and fog Parish Land, Thyme Bottom, Fairy Valley, and surrounding communities.

On Thursday the Unit will visit districts in St James and St Thomas. They are Bagatelle Terrace with avenues, Kew Road, Redmans Village, Hoyte’s Village, and environs.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude in Christ Church, on Friday, when the team goes into Coverley Drive, Coverley Stage 2, Coverley Gardens, Pilgrim Road, Pilgrim Palms, Pilgrim Place A and B, and neighbouring districts.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Children should not be allowed to play in the spray.

Members of the public are advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time. (PR)

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Residents in St Lucy are calling for a reduction in their water bills or a complete waiver, as they continue to experience worsening water quality.

Discoloured water, which has plagued the parish for weeks, leading to a rare boil water advisory, has led to public outcry, with many questioning why they should pay regular rates for substandard water.

Residents across the northern parish told Barbados TODAY of their frustration with the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) and the Ministry of Health, particularly after the recent advisory to boil tap water. The BWA said in an advisory on Wednesday that routine post-flood testing in various parts of the parish has shown an increased presence of brown water.

The water utility noted that it has been involved in a vigorous programme of mains replacement in the parish and is fully aware of the probability of infiltration of flood water into the distribution system.

It has responded to the problem by increasing chlorination, but residents argue that the water quality remains unacceptable. Many are calling for relief, with some stating that decades of poor water service have reached unbearable levels in recent weeks.

Sheryl Smith, a resident of Coles Cave, said: “That sewage tax should be off ever since and the water rate itself should be reduced. It’s not fair to people. I came to Barbados in 1974, I was born in England,  and the water we have now is far way worse. The water at that time was excellent. What is happening? What is the reason why we are not progressing?”

Smith noted that the water irritated her skin, forcing her household to buy bottled water at a significant cost. She explained that her family buys two cases of bottled water weekly at $37 per case, using the water primarily for consumption, while relying on water truck deliveries for other uses.

She said her family is forced to wear mostly dark clothing as the water stains lighter garments: “It stains the clothes no matter how much baking soda or [stain remover] you use, the stains do not come out.”

Other residents echoed Smith’s concerns. At a village shop, Crab Hill resident Haw Haw Graham argued that water bills should reflect the poor quality of service.

“We shouldn’t be paying for nothing. If you pay for a service, you should be paying for quality. And too much chlorine is not good, it can poison you. That is why we have to boil it.” Graham said.

Fellow bar patron David Slocombe, who lives in Archers Bay, criticised the BWA for leaving unfinished pipework in the community for over a year. “Waterworks men come down here and start working, leave down here, which has bad water, and gone somewhere else. They came from early last year and left about a month now,” he said.

Slocombe lamented that residents are still being charged despite the ongoing issues, including paying a sewage tax without having a sewage system in place.

“The only sewage we have is the water we’re drinking,” he quipped before expressing doubts about whether connecting to the new lines would improve the situation.

Slocombe also pointed to poor road conditions exacerbated by the unfinished work, with dust from passing vehicles creating a nuisance. He, along with other residents, questioned how much longer St Lucy would be neglected in terms of infrastructure development.

Alvin Moore, another Crab Hill resident, shared similar frustrations.

“We should not be paying for water until we get a good water supply. We should not be billed… and talk about the roads – the roads are so bad you have to buy water and car parts too,” he remarked.

In Grape Hall, resident Terrence Clarke revealed that he had been forced to install a costly water filtration system to cope with the brown water coming from his taps.

“But it comes with a cost,” he said, explaining that the filters, which turn brown quickly due to the water quality, are expensive and must be changed regularly. “[The filters] are brown, brown, when being changed and to do so is expensive. I bring them in from overseas. I spent about $1 500 for the system itself and for the filters, one filter is $172.”

Given the expense, the filtration system is only installed on indoor taps, while unfiltered water is still used for washing and gardening.

Clarke emphasised that the situation is particularly unfair to pensioners.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb

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The Vector Control Unit will visit communities in St Michael and St Joseph when it conducts its fogging exercise this week.

The team will focus on mosquito breeding sites in St Michael, from Monday to Wednesday, before moving on to St Joseph on Thursday and Friday.

On Monday, the Unit will fog Hindsbury Road, Tudor Road, Dr Kerr Land, Mottley Land, Prescod Bottom, Brathwaite Road, Progressive Road, Field Gap, Country Road, Laundry Road and environs.

The Unit will concentrate its efforts on Station Hill, Goodings Road with avenues, Bellevue Gap, and Deane’s Village on Tuesday.

The following districts will be sprayed on Wednesday: Mansion Road, Lower Bank Hall Cross Road, Prince of Wales, Queen Mary Road, King George Road, King Edward Road, Queen Victoria Road, Buckingham Road, 2nd Avenue Sealy Land, Gilkes Road, Powder Road, and Happy Cot.

On Thursday, several areas in St Joseph will be targeted for fogging. These include Blackmans Tenantry, Horse Hill, Blackman Development, Tourville, Bonwell Road, Surinam Road, Vaughn Road Nos. 1, 2 and 3, and Quarry Road.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude on Friday, in the following St Joseph communities: Gaggs Hill, Hillswick Road, Phillips Road, Cleavers Hill, Bathsheba, Elizabeth Village, St Elizabeth New Road, and Foster Hall.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Children should not be allowed to play in the spray.

Members of the public are advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time.

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Vaccine coverage among primary school aged children remains high, but still not at optimum levels, the Ministry of Health says.

The ministry says the last statistics recorded at the end of 2023, show that there has been a promising improvement in vaccination rates over the years, but the 95 per cent coverage point has still not been achieved.

The statement said, “Barbados in 2023, coverage of primary vaccines was 85 per cent for Diphtheria tetanus toxoid and pertussis [DTP3] and Polio and MMR1 and 2 was 90 per cent and 76 per cent respectively. This was an improvement from the coverage achieved in 2021 and 2022 for MMR, however, the DTP3 and Polio3 coverage was similar to that seen in 2020 and slightly less than that for 2022. Overall, the coverage of primary vaccines is still below the targeted 95 percent coverage.”

Meanwhile, Veronica Kirton, acting senior health sister at the Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic, told Barbados TODAY on Saturday during a visit to the facility, that there has been a steady flow of parents bringing their children in for their shots.

“Right now we are seeing a steady flow of persons coming in for the vaccines, we’ve not really had any vaccine hesitancy per say. We’ve had some children who would have defaulted, and because we are open today, Saturday, which we normally wouldn’t do, we’ve had a few parents coming in bringing their children for the vaccines,” she said.  

Kirton pointed out that Mondays are typically designated as childhood days at the polyclinic, which typically covered vaccination appointments. She added that there has been a consistent flow of children, aged two months to five years, as well as those seeking to update their vaccinations after sitting the Common Entrance Examinations.

“What we do is that we organise a programme where we do a particular school on a set day and then after that, we have a day where persons who probably would have missed the vaccines would come on that day to get the vaccines.

“[On average] we tend to get probably 20 children per week at this location, coming in.” (SB)

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Speaking at the association’s third quarterly general meeting at Stade’s Rum Visitors Centre in Brighton on Friday, BHTA Chairman Javon Griffith revealed that participation in the fund, established in 2003 to bolster tourism-related initiatives, has plummeted to a mere 26 per cent of hotel members.

“This is despite participation in the fund being a requirement of hotel membership via our articles of association. I cannot stress enough that this fund benefits the entire membership, but it’s being supported by a minority of hotel members,” Griffith said. “This situation is fundamentally wrong, and something which we will address over the coming weeks.”

The fund has historically financed various projects, including the restoration of the Holetown bridge, improvements to the Garrison Historic Area, and support for COVID-19 facilities. Contributions are primarily collected through a voluntary charge on hotel guests’ bills at checkout.

Griffith illustrated the potential impact of wider participation, stating that a 75-room hotel with typical seasonal occupancy could generate $59 000 annually for the fund, based on a US$2 ($4) per night contribution.

“I wish to see this fund grow to a level where the BHTA can make an even more significant contribution towards the tourism industry in collaboration with our partners at the BTMI,” he said, urging non-contributing members to contact the secretariat for information. (SB)

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Chair of the NCD Commission, Suleiman Bulbulia, told attendees that cooperation across various sectors is needed in order to combat the growing health issue among citizens. (SB)

Read full story in Wednesday’s epaper.

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