Jamaica Public Health Alert - Measles Alert!
Jamaica is on a Public Health Alert tonight, for Measles, a very contagious respiratory disease that is spread by breathing in the droplets from an infected person.
Jamaican Public Health authorities issued a release this evening.
They are requesting that all passengers that came into Kingston, Jamaica, from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) on May 1, 2008, on Virgin Atlantic flight no. 69, immediately report to your nearest Health Centre.
A nine (9) year-old girl from Europe, who was travelling on that flight, has Measles and it is feared that she may have passed it on to the rest of passengers on the flight.
(Measles is 90% contagious. According to the Directors of Health Promotion and Education website, Measles symptoms usually show up in two stages:
The first stage begins with a runny nose, cough, and a slight fever. As the infection progresses, the person's eyes become red and sensitive to light, and the fever rises.
The second stage begins after 3 to 7 days. The fever reaches 103oF-105oF, and a red blotchy rash appears.
The rash usually starts on the face and then spreads to the chest, back, and arms and legs, including the palms and soles of the feet. The rash lasts for 4 to 7 days. Small white spots might also appear on the gums and inside of the cheeks.)
You can find more information about the disease, here.
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All passengers who were on the Virgin Atlantic flight are asked to call the following toll-free no.: 1-888-663-5683, immediately, for more information.
You should take your immunization cards and see the Senior Health Nurse, or Medical Officer at your nearest Health Centre, now!
Gillian
Sources Include:
1) Nationwide Radio, May 15, 2008
2) Article, "Measles Facts", Directors of Health Promotion and Education website
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