Jamaica constituency overrun by Chikungunya –  JLP official

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Caretaker for St Thomas Eastern, Delano Seiveright, says that there is a major outbreak of chikungunya in the constituency

Seiveright, Sunday called on the Ministry of Health to stop understating the impact of the disease and immediately lead a multi-stakeholder drive to limit the spread of the mosquito-borne virus.

He said that following walks and incessant complaints from constituents in and around Nuts River, Morant Bay, Lyssons, Airy Castle, Port Morant, Duckenfield, Hampton Court and Bath, hundreds of people are noted to be affected by the symptoms of chikungunya.

“The overwhelming majority of persons who go to the doctor are not tested, thus keeping the latest confirmed Ministry count artificially low.

The doctors simply say that they (the affected person) appear to have chikungunya and direct them to take Panadol and get some rest,” Seiveright said in a release Sunday morning.