Newly appointed health minister lists viruses as priority

Newly appointed health minister Dr Christopher Tufton has listed the viruses which are threatening Jamaica as his top priority.

Tufton says though the government has a responsibility to preach preventative methods, Jamaicans must appreciate their role in preventing the Swine Flu and Zika viruses.

Jamaica is on a high Alert for Swine Flu, Dengue Fever and Zika virus.

The health ministry says 26 cases of dengue have been confirmed since January in addition to 28 cases of H1N1.  

Four persons have died from Swine Flu, which the health ministry says is not an epidemic in Jamaica.

The Zika virus, which has been declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation, remains on the high alert list although the country has only confirmed one case of the disease in a four year old who has since been cured of the virus.