Current Status
- Dr. Kiran Kumar
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the end of the H1N1 flu pandemic. This 10 August 2010 decision was prompted by advice from members of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee who found that the new H1N1 virus has largely run its course. Committee members based their assessment on the global situation, as well as on reports from several countries that are now encountering influenza. Read more…
H1N1 Statement by Medical Officer of Health
- H1N1 Update — Public Health Announces Flu Clinic Closure
The number of H1N1 cases has steadily declined in the Western Hemisphere, indicating that the peak of the pandemic may have passed. Read more…
Friday, 26 February 2010
- H1N1 Update — Flu Cases Still Increasing
Public health officials have reported an increase in flu activity during the last two weeks of November. In the third week of November, there were 178 cases of flu reported; last week there were 229 cases reported. Since the first case of H1N1 was confirmed in June, Cayman has had a total of 112 confirmed cases of H1N1. Read more…
Friday, 4 December 2009
- H1N1 Update — Flu Cases Increasing, No School Closures
Public health officials have reported that although this year’s flu numbers are double that of the same time last year, with an average of 120 cases weekly, they have remained static for the last month. "However, there has been a notable increase in flu activity this past week with 176 cases reported," Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kiran Kumar said. Read more…
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
- Statement from the Ministry of Health - H1N1 Update Delivered by the LoGB, the Hon. McKeeva Bush at the Cabinet Press Briefing
While hospitalisations due to the pandemic H1N1 flu remain low in Cayman, there has been a local rise in flu activity. Presently public health officials have recorded approximately double the number of flu cases than for the corresponding period last year. These statistics are similar in most countries around the world. Read more…
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
- No Flu Outbreak at Lighthouse School
Public health officials have determined that there is no flu outbreak at the Lighthouse School. "Based on our individual consultations with sick staff members, we can confirm that there is no flu outbreak amongst the school’s staff," Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kiran Kumar said. Read more…
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
- Public Health Responds to Possible Flu Outbreak
Seven staff members called in with flu-like symptoms at the Lighthouse School today, prompting public health officials to investigate a possible flu outbreak. Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kumar and Health Services Authority staff have already met with the Education and Health ministries’ Chief Officers and the Chief Education Officer to discuss the best approach. Read more…
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
- Preparing Vaccine Programme
As public health officials plan for a probable second wave of H1N1 flu cases this fall, they met this week with Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) representatives to fine-tune a vaccination strategy. Read more…
Thursday, 17 September 2009
- I am pleased to report that the latest data from the Public Health Department indicates that the number of flu cases in the Cayman Islands has fallen to 'usual' levels during the last week and is comparable to the same period in 2008. Read more…
Thursday, 3 September 2009
- Preparing for Back-to-School Flu Surge
Although the prevalence of flu cases in Cayman seems to have leveled off, health officials are preparing in earnest for any possible surge when schools open at the end of the month. Read more…
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
- Scaling Back Testing, Not Vigilance
With more than two-thirds of all laboratory confirmed flu cases in the Cayman Islands thus far being H1N1, health officials announced they are following World Health Organization recommendations to use testing now as a means to monitor whether or not the virus is mutating in any way. Read more…
Tuesday, 04 August 2009
- A public health team visited a West Bay neighborhood yesterday (Thursday, 23 July) to calm fears of a flu outbreak in that neighborhood. “We met with residents to inform and reassure them, after three residents of the National Housing Trust (NHT) affordable housing development in Capt. Jose Osborne Drive were hospitalized with the flu,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kiran Kumar.. Read more…
Friday, 24 July 2009
- The Hon. Mark Scotland, Minister of Health Statement re H1N1 Update
Following advice regarding the death of a young man at the Cayman Islands Hospital this morning, the entire government and I wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the family during their time of grief. I was saddened to hear of this loss and assure you that we are doing everything in our power to determine the cause of death. Already, you may have heard of a possible H1N1 (Swine Flu) connection. Ongoing investigations will confirm whether or not this is the case shortly. Until the official results are announced I urge everyone to avoid participation in the many rumours that have been circulating regarding this case. Read more…
Monday, 20 July 2009
- The number of H1N1 cases in Cayman continues to climb, after the Health Services Authority has confirmed another five cases of the novel H1N1. Read more…
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
- The Cayman Islands' H1N1 count is up to 22 after CAREC confirmed eight more cases this past week. Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Anna Matthews said that although three of the latest confirmed cases had a travel history to an H1N1 infected community, the latest figures confirm that Cayman has sustained local transmission. Read more…
Saturday, 4 July 2009
- More Cases for Cayman
The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) in Trinidad has confirmed four additional cases of the novel H1N1 for the Cayman Islands from samples sent for final testing last week. Read more…
Monday, 29 June 2009
- Two More Cases
The Health Services Authority has today confirmed an additional two cases of the novel H1N1 virus in the Cayman Islands, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 9. The latest confirmed cases are two adults. Health Services Medical Director, Dr. Greg Hoeksema, states that both patients are experiencing a mild illness and are recovering at home without antiviral medications. This reinforces that this novel H1N1 flu at this time is no more concerning than the other three influenza viruses that also continue to circulate in the Cayman Islands. Read more…
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
- Three More H1N1 CasesTest results from the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) today (Friday, 19 June) confirmed three cases of the novel H1N1 virus, bringing the total of confirmed cases in the Cayman Islands to seven. The patients, two women and a man, all became sick after returning from visits to the United States and all are recovering without complications or needing antiviral medication. “Given their travel history and the timeframe of their illnesses, we’re confident these are imported cases,” said Health Services Authority (HSA) Medical Director Dr. Greg Hoeksema. One family member is being evaluated today to determine if there has been human-to-human transmission within a household contact.
Read more…
Friday, 19 June 2009
- Fourth H1N1 Case Confirmed
Test results from the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) have confirmed a fourth case of the novel H1N1 virus in the Cayman Islands. The latest patient is an eight year old student who fell sick a few days after returning from Miami. She subsequently tested positive for Influenza A at the Health Services Authority’s Accident & Emergency Unit. “The child is recovering well at home without antiviral medications and is experiencing an uncomplicated illness like the other patients we have had locally,” says Health Services Authority Medical Director Dr. Greg Hoeksema. Read more…
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
- WHO Declares Flu Pandemic
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared an H1N1 flu pandemic today, Thursday, 11 June. Locally public health officials and the Health Services Authority (HSA) have reiterated that this does not indicate a major change in the nature of the virus and people needn’t panic. Read more…
Thursday, 11 June 2009
- Additional H1N1 flu case confirmed
Test results from the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) have confirmed an additional case of the novel H1N1 flu virus in the Cayman Islands bringing to three the total number of confirmed cases locally. Read more…
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
- Several people have tested positive for Influenza A at Friday’s Public Health investigation at First Baptist Christian School. CAREC testing, which will classify these cases as the typical seasonal flu or the novel H1N1, will be available in a few days. In addition, CAREC has confirmed today (Saturday, 6 June) that another returning resident has contracted the novel H1N1 flu. This case is an imported case from the US and unrelated to the first case. This patient is also recovering well on home isolation. This newly confirmed case, and the presence of more positive screening tests for influenza A suggests that more cases of the novel H1N1 flu will be confirmed in the Cayman Islands. Read more…
Saturday, 6 June 2009
- First Case Confirmed in Cayman
Public Health has received confirmation this afternoon of Cayman's first H1N1 flu case. Medical Officer of Health Dr Kiran Kumar said the patient, a student at First Baptist School, is recovering well in home isolation and did not suffer severe illness. School officials are currently contacting parents, and health officials will soon be meeting with them. The patient came to Health Services Authority's Accident and Emergency for testing on 29 May after falling sick upon returning from a trip to New York. Local testing was positive for Influenza A and subsequent CAREC results, which returned today, tested positive for H1N1. "Our strategy is to identify and contain the H1N1 virus in the Cayman Islands," Dr Kumar explained. Read more…
Thursday, 4 June 2009
- As of today, 2 June 2009, the Cayman Islands continues to be free of the novel H1N1 flu virus. So far 22 cases have been investigated with 13 having travel history to the US and Mexico. Of these cases, 21 tested negative for the H1N1 flu, and one test result is awaited. Read more…
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
- As of today, 19 May (06:00 GMT), the World Health Organization (WHO) has received reports of 9830 confirmed cases of influenza A-H1N1 -- including 79 deaths from 40 countries. Read more…
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
- As of today, 15 May (06:00 GMT), the World Health Organization (WHO) has received reports of 7520 confirmed cases of influenza A-H1N1 - including 65 deaths - from 34 countries. While this is serious, WHO says the disease has not yet become a pandemic. Read more…
Friday, 15 May 2009
- To date there have been no suspected cases of H1N1 flu in the Cayman Islands.
- Public health officials have investigated a total of ten patients with respiratory infections since the WHO notification of an overseas outbreak of H1N1 flu.
- Medical Officer of Health Dr Kiran Kumar reiterated that investigating a case of respiratory illness does not mean health officials suspect H1N1 flu. It is a precautionary measure only. Read more…
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
- H1N1 Flu Update
The name of the virus causing the current outbreak is Influenza A(H1N1). For ease it is commonly called H1N1 Flu. The CDC, WHO, health professionals, and pork producers all feel the name “swine flu” is wrong since the virus contains human, bird and swine factors.Health alert notices will be placed at all ports of entry. These notices are already posted at Owen Roberts International Airport for the benefit of staff and passengers. Plus there is a health desk at Owen Roberts where
- &Arriving passengers, who feel they might have the flu, can get help.
- Front line staff from airlines, Immigration and Customs can get information.
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
- How to Report Suspected Swine Flu
Medical Officer of Health Dr Kiran Kumar has issued the following advisory: Anyone who develops flu-like symptoms, (fever with cough, sore throat or cold) within seven days of returning from any swine flu-affected area or having been in close contact with any confirmed case of swine flu must report immediately to the Accident and Emergency Unit at the Cayman Islands Hospital. Read more…
Friday, 1 May 2009
- The World Health Organization alert level for pandemic flu is at Phase 5. This means there is sustained human-to-human transmission of the H1N1 virus (swine flu), and the current flu outbreak has taken a "significant step" toward becoming a pandemic. Read More