Third person dies from H1N1

Jamaica has recorded a third Influenza A (H1N1) related death.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Winston De La Haye says the  patient, from St. Mary, who was 22 weeks pregnant, died on Tuesday. for the other two patients, although they were positive for H1N1, the

"So she had an HIN1 positive confirmed she  was air lifted from Annotto Bay Hospital to the University hospital on February 22 and  she died on March 1,  and thus far in terms of forensic reports. This is the first case where we are seeing H1N1 positive listed among the causes of death . For the other two patients, although they were positive for H1N1, the cause of death isn't  necessarily H1N1.

Two other women including a medical doctor have died from the virus since it was first reported in Jamaica last month.

De La Haye dismissed claims that 10 persons have died from H1N1 related illnesses at the University Hospital of  the West Indies.

There are now 28 confirmed cases of  H1N1 in the country.

Jamaica remains on high alert for the virus.

Zika Virus update                                                       -

Meanwhile there remains only one confirmed case of  the Zika Virus in Jamaica.

De La Haye says of  the 254 samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency in Trinidad to be tested for Zika, the results for 127 have returned.

One sample tested positive, 117 returned negative and nine were not tested.

 The Chief  Medical Officer explained that the non-testing of  samples can be for a number of  reasons including incorrect information on forms sent.

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     March 5, 2016

    Meanwhile, from the samples sent to CARPHA it was determined that there are now 29 cases of  dengue fever in Jamaica:

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CUE IN:  So these are reports

CUE OUT: at high alert

   Chief  Medical Officer, Dr. Winston De La Haye.

   There was one case of  Chikungunya in the batch.