Dominican Health Authorities Seeks To Assure Carnival Revellers Over Spread Of TB

ROSEAU, Dominica, February 24, 2020 (CMC) – Health authorities have sought to allay fears, that there could be a further increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases in Dominica, during the Carnival celebrations that end here, tomorrow, after Health Minister, Dr. Irvine McIntyre, confirmed that there had been a spike in cases, so far this year.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. David Johnson, said that Carnival activities, last weekend, posed no threat to revellers, and the disease is not new to the island.

“And the way TB is transmitted, we don’t think it is going to pose any threat. It is transmitted through coughing, through sneezing, (and) we have been aggressively following up the cases, we have identified, and bring them in for treatment.

“There is no evidence that we have, over the years, showed that after these events, in terms of mass gatherings…that we get a number of persons coming down with tuberculosis,” he said, adding “TB is endemic to Dominica for many, many years”.

McIntrye said that 12 cases of the disease had been recorded, so far this year, with six other suspected cases.

Last year, the island recorded eight confirmed cases and two suspected ones.

“Through its surveillance program, the Ministry of Health has recognised that there is an upsurge in tuberculosis in 2020, which has seen an increased number of persons requiring admission to….hospital,” Mc Intrye said.

TB is a disease, caused by bacteria, called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but they can also damage other parts of the body. TB spreads through the air when a person with TB of the lungs or throat, coughs, sneezes, or talks.

McIntyre said all the persons, who have been confirmed to be suffering from the disease, are on treatment, and that “there are no cases of drug-resistant TB, at this time, which makes it much easier for patients to be treated and a better recovery”.