Minister for Health, Wellness and Nutrition Moses Jn Baptiste has alerted the nation to the public health emergency declared by the World Health Organization following the resurgence of the Ebola virus in parts of Africa, while assuring citizens that the disease currently poses no direct threat to Saint Lucia or the wider Eastern Caribbean.
Speaking on Monday, May 18, Jn Baptiste stressed the importance of vigilance and preparedness, explaining that Saint Lucia is already strengthening local protocols and collaborating with regional health authorities in response to the situation.
“The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern,” the minister stated.
“This is very important and this should get our attention because this most recent Ebola virus outbreak, which is mainly in the Northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, while at this time poses no threat to us in our region of the Eastern Caribbean, it’s very important for us to be aware of it and it’s very important for us to prepare as a country and as a region and to strengthen our protocols.”
Jn Baptiste explained that the current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which differs from strains seen during previous outbreaks.
“The most recent Ebola virus outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus,” he explained.
“And this is a different strain of Ebola when compared to the other strains of years past.”
The minister clarified that the World Health Organization has not declared the outbreak a pandemic, but noted that the situation still requires serious international attention.
“The World Health Organization has not declared a pandemic and therefore this is a very critical event that the world cannot treat simply as a local event that is happening in Congo or Uganda,” he said. “Although it is not a pandemic, under the international health regulations, it indicates that this extraordinary event may spread internationally and it may require a coordinated international response.”
Jn Baptiste also outlined the varying fatality rates associated with different Ebola strains, citing information provided by the World Health Organization.
“The Zaire Ebola virus has a fatality of up to 90 percent,” he noted. “The Sudan virus, often the fatality is about 50 percent. And this one, the Bundibugyo virus, has a lower fatality according to the World Health Organization of about 30 percent.”
However, he warned that the lower fatality rate should not lead to complacency.
“This, however, does not mean that we should not be vigilant,” the minister stressed.
He further explained that while vaccines and treatments exist for some Ebola strains, there is currently no approved vaccine or therapeutic specifically designed for the Bundibugyo strain.
“We also know, based on information from the World Health Organization, that licensed Ebola vaccines and approved therapeutics are available for the disease caused by the Ebola virus,” Jn Baptiste said.
“However, for the most recent one, the Bundibugyo virus disease, there is currently no approved vaccine or therapeutic specific to this particular strain.”
According to the minister, countries across the Caribbean are now reviewing and strengthening their health response systems as a precautionary measure.
“Therefore, all countries, including countries in our region, in the Caribbean and Saint Lucia, all countries are now upgrading their protocols and ensuring that we are doing what is necessary just in case,” he stated.
Jn Baptiste outlined several measures already being implemented locally to enhance Saint Lucia’s preparedness.
“For Saint Lucia, we have the following in place. Strengthen protocols for port health service,” he said.
“We will begin to put out regular updates for public education, and this will be done by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer.”
The minister added that authorities are also focusing on healthcare worker preparedness and infection prevention measures.
“We will strengthen training for healthcare workers. We’ll improve infection prevention control measures,” he explained.
Jn Baptiste also confirmed that testing arrangements for any suspected Ebola case would be coordinated through Caribbean Public Health Agency.
“At present, testing for any possible suspected case is arranged through the Caribbean Public Health Agency, CARPHA,” he stated.
The minister further disclosed that Saint Lucia currently has an adequate supply of personal protective equipment and intends to enhance surveillance systems moving forward.
“At this time, we have a fair quantity of PPE in stock, protective gear, protective equipment,” he said.
“And while there’s no vaccine, we will upgrade our surveillance.”
Health officials continue to encourage the public to remain informed through official updates while reassuring citizens that there is currently no confirmed threat to Saint Lucia.