CARPHA and CKLN Symposium Focuses on Combatting Dengue and Chikungunya in the Region
Executive Director at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) believes that the Caribbean region is prepared to manage both Dengue fever and the Chikungunya virus. Dr. Hospedales was speaking at a symposium hosted by CARPHA and the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN) entitled Research and Education Networks Supporting Dengue Fever Management in the Caribbean.
Although Dr. Hospedales acknowledged said that “Dengue and Chikungunya, both spread by the Aedes Egypti mosquito, are a major concern for the Caribbean, he explained that several measures had already been established by CARPHA to prevent and control dengue and more recently the Chikungunya virus. This, he said, included providing laboratory diagnosis for Chikungunya and regional coordination through an Incident Management Team and a regional education awareness programme.
The CARPHA and CKLN Dengue symposium was yet another effort to further prepare the Region and allowed over 40 participants to share resources and data, as well as explore more effective ways of combatting vector-borne diseases. Using the Region’s dedicated research and education (R&E) network, C@ribNET, to engage participants and presenters, clinicians, researchers and healthcare practitioners were able to share their experiences on tackling and managing Dengue and Chikungunya. In addition, participants were informed on how dedicated research and education networks could support and facilitate collaborative work of medical, research and health-related groups and communities.
Dr. Bernadette Theodore-Gandi, PAHO/WHO Representative for Trinidad and Tobago, congratulated CARPHA and CKLN on bringing together their mandates to focus on Dengue fever in the Region. She further urged that research and policy be translated into action through the sharing of information across all sectors. Dr. Rohit Doon, Adviser, Health Promotion Communications and Public Health at the Ministry of Health, Trinidad and Tobago, believed that the event was a significant one and expressed hope that the meeting would establish new and innovative ways in dealing with human behaviour, urging persons to pay greater attention to their environment and domestic hygiene. Mr. Ken Sylvester, Chief Executive Officer, CKLN, highlighted the importance of networks and sharing of information in combatting diseases in the Caribbean.
Participants joined the symposium from various locations – Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Malawi, Singapore, Saint Lucia, and The Bahamas. Invited speakers at the meeting presented on:
- Dengue in the Caribbean: a regional overview
- Challenges and Opportunities in Dengue Clinical Management
- Vector Control Management in the Caribbean Region: Lessons Ignored
- Invasion, expansion and maintenance of Dengue & Chikungunya viruses in the Americas
Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Communications Unit, 16-18 Jamaica Boulevard, Federation Park, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Tel: (868) 622 4261/299-0895 Fax: (868) 622 2792 www.carpha.org