Health
BA 2 Variant Identified in the Turks and Caicos Islands
#TurksandCaicos, April 29, 2022 – On 29th April 2022, the Ministry of Health and Human Services received the results of sequencing of samples which were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). Samples were submitted by the National Public Health Laboratory in the TCI as a part of its routine surveillance for variants of COVID-19.
Out of 26 samples submitted for sequencing, 22 results were reported with 20 out of the 22 samples being Omicron BA.2 lineage. The remaining two samples were BA.1 and BA.1.1. Of the BA.2 samples, 16 were from visitors and 4 from residents on the islands of Providenciales, Grand Turk and South Caicos.
SARS-CoV-2 is the virus which causes COVID-19. It has evolved and mutated since the start of the pandemic. All viruses mutate over time. Through global monitoring by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other public health bodies, variants of the virus have been identified and named. Variants of concern are defined as variants for which there is evidence of an increase in transmissibility (ease of spread), more severe disease (for example, increased hospitalizations or deaths), reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures. The omicron or BA.1 variant was designated by the WHO as a variant of concern on November 26, 2021. Due to its highly transmissible nature, it caused surges in cases of COVID-19 around the world including the TCI. At this time, it became the predominant strain globally. This variant caused milder illness, resulting in fewer deaths and hospitalisations than the delta variant which had spread across the world earlier.
BA.2 is a subvariant of the omicron variant and is even more transmissible than the original omicron variant. It is highly transmissible meaning that it tends to spread rapidly from person to person. It is not thought to cause severe disease, however, hospitalisations and deaths have been noted in the current surges attributed to this variant. Factors such as vaccination status and prior infection as well as the presence of underlying health conditions have an impact on the severity of illness resulting from infection with this variant as well as outcomes.
Studies have shown that vaccinations and boosters offer strong protection against severe disease and hospitalization due to COVID-19 and its variants. As some studies have shown a waning in the protection offered by vaccines with time, boosters including the second booster have been approved particularly for those who may be vulnerable.
The Ministry of Health would like to use this opportunity to encourage residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if they have not already done so, and if they have received second dose of the vaccine more than three months ago, to get boosted. For those who are at high risk and who have received the booster dose more than six months previously, a fourth dose is available. COVID-19 vaccines are provided free of cost to all residents of the TCI at all Government Primary Health Care Clinics as well as all private medical facilities. Vaccines are also available for children from 5 years and older. Please contact your health care provider so that you can get your shot.
The Ministry of Health continues to encourage persons to: 
- Wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
- Maintain social distancing of 6 feet between persons
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or use disposable tissues
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19 which include cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, fever, diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell-please stay at home and contact the Health Hotlines on 232 9444 or 333 0911 for guidance
- If you are symptomatic, please remain at home and wear a well-fitting mask unless your symptoms get worse such as:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone in which case please contact 911 immediately
- If you have tested positive, please follow the MOH guidance which can be found on https://www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus/guidance/1581-guidance-for-persons-who-testpositive-for-covid-19
- GET TESTED-know your status. Testing is free at Ministry of Health testing sites
- Refrain from speculation and spreading rumors
- Stay informed with the latest information from the Ministry of Health by visiting our website on https://www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus/
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
May 8th, 2024 – After millions of people took the AstraZeneca vaccine as their choice of vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization announced on March 5, that it is withdrawing its vaccines from the market worldwide, effective as of May 7 as it was reported to cause side effects.
It is said 170 countries received doses of AstraZeneca; it was expected 35.3 million doses would be shared with 36 Caribbean and Latin
American countries through the COVAX program, according to PAHO.
First reported by the Telegraph, the side effects are identified as blood clots and low blood platelet counts. In fact, the medical issues have reportedly been linked to 81 confirmed deaths in the UK alone. Many others are suffering some other medical injury due to the vaccine popularized as an answer to the then new virus.
AstraZeneca is also being sued by more than 45 affected people.
The vaccine, known as Vaxzevria, the Telegraph informs, can no longer be used in the European Union and it will be the same for other countries and the UK in the coming months. Over 17 million doses made it into EU countries.
Reports say AstraZeneca made the revelations of the side effects in court documents, adding that the withdrawal of their vaccine is also due to a decrease in demand.
Photo Caption: Public Health Nurse, Patricia Coates (left), administers Daniel Adams’ first dose of the AstraZeneca coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, during the second COVID-19 Vaccination Blitz at the National Arena in St. Andrew, on Saturday (April 3).
JIS photo from 2021.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 8th May 2024: A case of malaria has been identified in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The individual is presently stable and receiving treatment. The Public Health team is currently conducting further investigations, however, initial findings indicate the case may be imported. The Ministry of Health and Human Services is working closely with its stakeholders to respond to this finding.
Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria is not contagious and cannot spread from one person to another. It is preventable and curable. However, without prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, a case of uncomplicated malaria can progress to a severe form of the disease, which is often fatal without treatment.
There are five species of Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria in humans and 2 of these species – Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax – pose the greatest threat. Not all Anopheles mosquitoes have malaria, but if they bite a person with malaria, they can become infectious.
Symptoms
Malaria symptoms range from very mild illness to severe disease and even death. The first symptoms of malaria usually begin within 10–15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. Early symptoms can include:
- Fever and flu-like illness
- Chills
- Headache, muscle aches, and tiredness
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur
If not treated quickly, the infection can become severe. If Plasmodium falciparum malaria is not treated within 24 hours, the infection can progress to severe illness and death.
Severe symptoms can include:
- kidney failure
- seizures
- mental confusion
- coma
See a healthcare provider as soon as possible if:
- you are experiencing any of the symptoms of malaria, and
- you have traveled in the last year to or from an area where malaria occurs
Only a healthcare provider can diagnose malaria. A lab test via microscopy and/or rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) will confirm malaria using a small sample of your blood.
Prescription drugs can treat and cure malaria.
Prevention
Persons traveling to countries where malaria is endemic should take precautions to prevent infection including taking chemoprophylaxis (use of medications to prevent infection).
For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page onhttps://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.
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