A committee with wide-ranging duties has been established to oversee Cayman’s preparedness in the event of a flu pandemic.
This announcement comes as the global death toll due to a deadly strain of H5N1 bird flu has risen to more than 250.
The initiative, announced as concern mounts that the flu virus may further mutate and be carried by human-to-human contact, is aimed at ensuring the islands are fully geared up if a pandemic occurs.
In Friday’s press briefing Health Minister Anthony Eden reported that the National Influenza Pandemic Committee, headed by Governor Stuart Jack, will develop and implement strategic planning measures. The committee will meet for the first time Thursday.
The body is said to be similar in structure to the National Hurricane Committee. Membership, as yet unannounced, will likely comprise chief officers, departmental heads, key emergency services personnel and representatives of private sector groups.
A Flu Pandemic Health Task Force, chaired by the Health Minister, has already met twice in October.
Its ongoing remit is to review ‘all operational plans for surveillance, prevention, treatment and risk communication and to ensure they are disseminated to the public,’ said the Director of Public Health, Dr. Kiran Kumar.
The establishment of the two bodies come as many other countries are also reviewing their preparedness capability.
Dr. Kumar will work closely to co-ordinate ‘intersectorial plans’ with the newly-appointed Director of the National Emergency Management Agency, Barbara Carby.
In speaking to the likelihood avian flu reaching our shores, Dr. Kumar was fairly sanguine.
‘The chances of bird flu appearing in the Cayman Islands remain highly remote.’
This, however, is tempered by the view shared by many other health professionals that it was not so much a case of if a flu pandemic would occur, but when, he said.
‘If and when a pandemic is established, it is inevitable that Cayman will be affected due to rapid international travel and the islands’ profile as a major tourism destination,’ he said. ‘Therefore this is the time for preparation and the government has taken the necessary steps.
‘I am confident that our plans will be able to manage the situation,’ he said.
‘We will be advising the public at various stages on the plan and all necessary steps to be taken.’
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