Bird Flu Center

A workshop held by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) along with the Caribbean Poultry Association and the departments of health and agriculture has aimed at training people in Jamaica on how to identify and deal with the highly pathogenic form of the avian flu. The impending threat of the disease and the great potential it holds for a massive casualties toll has determined local authorities to draw up a plan for dealing with the situation. $13.5 million have been approved by the Cabinet, to go towards the strengthening of the surveillance task force and laboratory capacities within the Veterinary Service.

The Health authorities are trying to put Jamaica on the map featuring only about 50 countries that have set up a comprehensive plan for preparing for the predicted flu pandemic. According to Caribbean officials, the 3,800 manned beds in hospitals islandwide would be sufficient in the case of a bird flu epidemic. The estimates instead point to approximately 6,500 hospitalisations needed and probably more than one thousand deaths. Also, it is worrying that only 19 of the country’s 27 intensive care unit beds are manned by trained staff. In the case of a pandemic, at least 500 ICU beds will be needed after the first three weeks alone.