EDITORIAL: Exercise caution during this flu season

Recent reports indicate grave concern about the high level of flu cases being reported across the USA, Europe, and indeed here in Barbados. After all, it is true in more ways than one that when the USA sneezes, the Caribbean catches a cold.

Given the frequency of travel and interaction between the two countries, it is obvious that viruses such as the flu will easily be transmitted between family members, in high traffic areas such as airports and seaports and from passenger to passenger in the closed environment of an aircraft.

Something as simple as a sneeze could have very far-reaching consequences. Each infected person who sneezes releases thousands of particles into the atmosphere and each person in the immediate vicinity can very easily be affected. And just imagine if the sick person sneezes into his/her hand and subsequently touches a door handle or some other area of common usage. Flu germs can live on surfaces for as long as 24 hours, unless these areas are properly sanitised.

In the US, it was reported that for the first time in this flu season, flu activity was ‘on the decrease’. Amid a particularly ‘tough’ season, where “the intensity of illness caused by the respiratory virus” was considered the worst since the swine flu pandemic in 2009 to 2010, US residents were encouraged to get flu shots which have become mandatory in some hospitals and other areas, in an effort to protect medical staff as well as patients.

It is also worrying to note that hospitals there are being overwhelmed by the high volume of sick people.

In our case, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George, has indicated the Ministry of Health is “closely monitoring reports of increased cases of flu in North America and the UK”. He warned that the strain of flu that is trending is H2N3. He also warned that the young and elderly are more vulnerable, hence everyone should exercise caution.

With the seasonal change in our weather – the cold nights and cool windy days, it seems inevitable that there will be an increase in colds. We therefore add our support to the call for caution, because surely the already over-burdened Queen Elizabeth Hospital would be placed under even more pressure if there was a flu epidemic. In addition, the workforce needs all able-bodied members to be productive at this time.

So what do we do? There are some basic health and sanitary tips that children and adults should bear in mind. First and foremost, wash your hands! It seems a small thing, but it is a crucial step in controlling the spread of viruses, which are often contracted when dirty hands touch the mouth, eyes and face. Hand sanitisers are also useful in this regard. Second, if you do get sick, seek immediate medical attention, stay away from others and reduce the likelihood of spreading the cold; and third, sneeze into tissues and dispose of them properly and immediately.

As always, paying close attention to personal hygiene is of paramount importance, as well as keeping surroundings clean.

Already the country is feeling the weight of an increase in cases of dengue fever. We cannot afford to have our citizens succumb, en masse, to a flu epidemic.