#TurksandCaicos, May 11, 2024 – The forfeiture of the vessel Marassa Express, valued at approximately $120,000.00, has been secured following a recent court decision. The vessel’s forfeiture comes as a result of a meticulously coordinated effort involving the Immigration Department, Customs Department, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands, the Office of the Department of Public Prosecution and the legal representation of The Crown by Dr. Angela Brooks.

The case stems from an intelligence-led operation conducted on West Caicos on 5^th February 2023, where 90 migrants were encountered. Following the operation, The Crown successfully prosecuted the defendants, Alexis Georgis and Meralien Merlien, in the Magistrate court.

The defendants were convicted of various charges related to unlawful entry and failure to report to the proper officer. Alexis Georgis was fined $9,500 payable in 14 days or 18 months imprisonment, as well as $3,500 payable in 14 days or three months imprisonment. Meralien Merlien was fined $9,000 payable in 14 days or 16 months imprisonment.

The appeal, heard last week and decided on April 30^th, 2024, saw the court dismissing the appeal and confirming the sentences imposed on the defendants.

Arlington Musgrove; Minister of Immigration and Border Services stated, “The forfeiture of the Marassa Express is not just a legal victory; it is a powerful statement of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our borders and ensuring the integrity of our immigration laws. This outcome sends a clear message to those who seek to exploit our borders unlawfully: there will be consequences, and we will pursue justice relentlessly.”

This successful outcome underscores the effective collaboration between various departments within the Turks and Caicos Islands authorities, highlighting their commitment to upholding immigration and customs laws, as well as ensuring the safety and security of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands – 11th May 2024: On Thursday, 9^th May 2024, results of testing for two suspected measles cases were received from the Caribbean Public Health Agency, confirming that both cases were positive for measles. These represent the first cases of measles in the TCI since 1991.

The public health team has been responding since initial reports of the suspected cases, carrying out contact tracing, isolation, public education and outreach in anticipation of yesterday’s results. No additional suspected cases have been identified at this time. All unvaccinated contacts of the confirmed cases have been vaccinated. Additional vaccination efforts will be conducted throughout the TCI.

The public health team has been receiving technical support from its key stakeholders including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).

Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that spreads easily between people. Symptoms typically start between 10 and 12 days after catching the infection. The signs and symptoms of measles are:

• A high fever
• Runny or blocked nose
• Cough
• Red, sore, watery eyes

Small greyish-white spots with a bluish-white center inside the mouth, cheek, and throat may appear a few days later. A rash usually appears 2-4 days after the cold-like symptoms start. The rash starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.

Measles is spread through close contact with someone with measles. This could be through droplets in the air which are generated by the coughs and sneezes of infected persons or by touching things that someone with measles has coughed or sneezed on.

Measles spreads easily within households and in other places where people mix closely together. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected. The period when a person is infectious and can spread the virus is within 7 to 10 days of exposure but can be up to 14 days.

Most measles-related deaths are caused by complications associated with the disease and serious complications are more common in children under the age of 5, or adults over the age of 30 and individuals whose immune systems have been weakened. The most serious complications include blindness, encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), severe diarrhoea and related dehydration, ear infections, or severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia. Women infected while pregnant are also at risk of severe complications, and the pregnancy may end in miscarriage or preterm delivery. People who recover from measles are immune for the rest of their lives.

Any non-immune person (who has not been vaccinated or was vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can become infected.

No specific antiviral treatment exists for measles virus.
Severe complications from measles can be avoided through supportive care that ensures good nutrition, adequate fluid intake and treatment of dehydration with WHO-recommended oral rehydration solution. This solution replaces fluids and other essential elements that are lost through diarrhoea or vomiting. Antibiotics should be prescribed to treat eye and ear infections, and pneumonia.

A number of measles outbreaks have been detected globally and regionally. While the TCI has high vaccination coverage in the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) (>95%), unvaccinated persons can still acquire measles through contact with an infectious person.

Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent measles. The vaccine is safe and effective in providing long term protection against measles, mumps and rubella. Vaccines are offered free of cost to all children at government-operated primary care facilities across the TCI.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services encourages parents to ensure that their children’s vaccines are up to date.  If you are unsure if you or your child has had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, please visit your health care provider. If you have missed a dose, you can still be vaccinated at any age.

The public is being advised to remain vigilant and report any fever with rash or fever followed by rash to their doctor/health care provider as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services is grateful for the support of its stakeholders, including CARPHA, who provided the results of testing in such a prompt manner.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services will continue heightened surveillance for fever and rash and take necessary actions to mitigate against further cases.

For additional information please call 649-338-5469 or visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

Garfield Ekon

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, May 11, 2024 – Sean Astwood, the former Deputy Premier of the Turks and Caicos Island (TCI), says he has returned to front-line politics to stand up for what is right, and to fight for persons who cannot fight for themselves.

Mr. Astwood who was also a former Minister of Border Control and Employment and Member of Parliament for Five Cays (ED 9) Constituency, during the Sharlene Cartwight-Robinson led administration, said his move was not a “decision I have made lightly, it is not for personal gain or glory.

“I came back because I believe that we have a responsibility to balance the playing field for all of those who feel marginalised, to protect the vulnerable, and empower the powerless,” Mr. Astwood said in statement.

The All-Island- (At-Large) candidate in the upcoming general elections, added that he has chosen to re-enter “this often-challenging world” of politics, and to them, “now, more than ever,” more voices are needed, and “our actions are crucial, and our commitment to positive change is non-negotiable.

“I have spent my time away from politics reflecting on the state of our country. I have witnessed the struggles faced by so many of you, the injustices that persist, and the urgent need for leaders who are not only passionate but also compassionate, who are not only ambitious but also empathetic,” he said.

He stressed that his return has to do with what he said is the “crime is out of control,” and the island’s borders are still unprotected, the sloops are still coming, and “over $8M of the Carnival Infrastructure Fund slated for our nation’s capital Grand Turk remains untouched,” Mr. Astwood said.

The All-Island candidate also stated that another issue that influenced his decision, is the Housing Department not producing a “single home”, infrastructures are crumbling, road and traffic systems need immediate attention, and “I have seen the power of unity, the strength of diversity, and the potential for progress when we come together with a shared vision for a better future,” he stated.

Urging citizens not to be deterred by naysayers, the cynics, or the skeptics, Mr. Astwood said people should be inspired by the courage of those who came “before us, as always, I must pay homage to Rt Hon JAGS McCartney, the resilience of those who stand beside us, and the hope of those who will follow us,” he argued.