Topic: Public health
The NCFC administration’s first year: Big emphasis on public health
One year into office, the NCFC government has advanced a range of public health reforms centred on prevention, health care oversight and social resilience amid rising chronic disease and emerging infectious threats.
BA flight to Cayman held in Bahamas over public health concern
A Cayman government minister was among passengers taken off the British Airways London flight to the country during its Bahamas stop-off because of a "serious public health concern"
Caribbean region monitoring international hantavirus cases
Health officials say they are monitoring an international investigation into hantavirus cases linked to a cruise vessel that left Argentina.
Whooping cough cases spread across multiple schools in Cayman
Health officials are escalating their response to rising whooping cough infections, warning the highly contagious illness may be spreading more widely than reported.
Gastroenteritis outbreak in schools and wider Cayman Brac community
A gastroenteritis outbreak is affecting Cayman Brac, with cases confirmed in multiple schools and the wider community, suggesting broader spread.
Whooping cough case in local school, vaccine checks urged
A confirmed case of whooping cough has been identified at a local high school, triggering an urgent appeal for vaccination checks.
Areas hit by smoke from dump fire targeted for health checks
The government is to carry out health checks in areas affected by clouds of smoke billowing from Cayman's massive dump fire
30 illnesses added to notifiable diseases list
The Ministry of Health has expanded the number of infectious diseases about which doctors are required to notify public health officials.
Cayman expands travel advisory over mosquito-borne illnesses concerns
Tens of thousands of suspected chikungunya cases have been reported in Cuba this year, alongside an active Oropouche virus outbreak. Other regional countries are reporting outbreaks of dengue fever.
Bird flu strain in Cayman said to be highly contagious
Local farmers are being warned that the current strain of avian flu identified in Cayman is both highly contagious and often fatal for domestic birds.
Bird flu in Cayman: What’s the risk to people?
The detection of avian influenza in birds in Cayman has prompted reassurances from health officials that the public faces a low risk of contracting the disease.
Leptospirosis outbreak worsens in post-hurricane Jamaica
Cayman health officials are warning travellers to and from Jamaica about a deadly leptospirosis outbreak on that island as it recovers from last month's devastating Hurricane Melissa.
Flu cases hold steady with vaccine uptake on the rise in Cayman
Cayman is now well into flu season, but health officials say the surprising trend isn’t a spike in cases but a surge in demand for the vaccine.
New CMO Dr. Hilary Wolf shares plans for first 100 days
Cayman’s new Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hilary Wolf, has set out a focused agenda for her first 100 days as she takes over the reins from Dr. Nick Gent, who retired at the end of September.
Doctors, residents raise concerns over sargassum health impacts
Extended exposure to large amounts of decaying sargassum can irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs, particularly for people with asthma.
Mosquito-borne viruses
Some mosquito-borne viruses which occur in areas of the tropics are a threat in the Cayman Islands.
In recent years there have been outbreaks of...
Measles vaccination clinics offered amid US outbreak
Cayman public health officials on Friday warned the public to make sure they are protected after outbreaks of measles across the United States.
Are we getting sicker? Massive rise in hospital visits
More people made outpatient and casualty visits to the Health Services Authority last year than ever before, the latest national statistics show.
Bacteria in floodwater may pose public health threat
While the recent flooding caused by Tropical Storm Helene has led to warnings about potentially contaminated floodwater in Grand Cayman, it turns out a bacteria that is "abundant in the environment" could pose a more serious health hazard.
Public Health, HSA work toward ‘historic split’
Plans to extricate the Public Health department from the Health Services Authority and make it an independent entity are now moving ahead a pace, Health Minister Sabrina Turner has said.
20 hospitalised with COVID in March, 1 death reported
According to the latest Ministry of Health update, one COVID-positive person died and 20 with the virus were admitted to hospital during March.
Cayman’s ‘mother of Public Health nursing’ Josie Solomon remembered
As the community mourns the loss of celebrated Cayman Islands healthcare professional Nurse Josie Solomon, those who knew the Bodden Town stalwart best say she was "a force to be reckoned with."
Thousands in isolation as COVID-19 numbers climb
Almost 4,000 people across the Cayman Islands are currently in isolation in their homes or at government facilities as COVID-19 cases continue to increase.
A...
Three pregnant women among those who beat COVID-19
Three pregnant women were among Cayman’s positive COVID-19 cases, according to statistical data released by Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee.
First confirmed case of COVID-19 in Cayman
The first case of the coronavirus has been confirmed in the Cayman Islands, according to Premier Alden McLaughlin.
Flu cases continue to climb
The Health Services Authority has said it continues to see more patients heading to the hospital with influenza symptoms.
Public meetings on coronavirus scheduled
A Public Health England laboratory specialist is expected to be dispatched to the Cayman Islands this week to support local efforts to respond to the coronavirus threat.
Public health meeting on dengue planned
A public health meeting on dengue fever has been planned for this Wednesday in East End.
DEH director wants review of Public Health Law
Over the last 20 years, the Cayman Islands has seen a 300% increase in the number of registered food establishments. The total now stands at 850 restaurants, cafes, dinners and mobile food trucks, as well as bed and breakfasts - and the Department of Environmental Health’s four food inspection officers have been tasked with monitoring them all.
Column: Venezuela’s health crisis is the hemisphere’s problem
Fortunately, Venezuela’s neighbours are better prepared to deal with dangerous outbreaks.
EDITORIAL – Brac’s untreated medical waste is a ‘pan-Cayman’ problem
The dozens of red biohazard bags observed by a Compass reporter in the Brac landfill constitute a dangerous and irresponsible disregard for public health that cannot be allowed to continue.
Grand Cayman schools hit by disease outbreak
An outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease that surfaced a few weeks ago is still affecting some schools on Grand Cayman.
UPDATED: Zika town hall meeting slated for North Side Civic Centre
The East End town hall meetings about the Zika virus will be taking place on Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the East End Civic Centre. The meetings have been scheduled by the Public Health Department to inform residents about Zika and to address concerns, especially for pregnant women.
EDITORIAL – The mysterious threat of Zika
The Public Health Department’s upcoming series on the Zika virus may be just what the doctor ordered.
Government says it won’t get into ‘medical tourism’
Although it has been granted the legal designation to participate in “medical tourism,” the government has no intention of going into that business, public health officials said Wednesday.
Mosquito Unit works to protect pregnant women as Zika fears grow
Some pregnant women have left the Cayman Islands and others are putting off moves to Grand Cayman now that there are known local Zika transmissions. But leaving a job and traveling overseas is not an option for many women who are pregnant and couples trying to conceive.
Public Health confirms third local Zika case
Public health officials Thursday confirmed a third local case of the Zika virus, all of which have occurred in George Town.
Fourth imported case of Zika virus confirmed
The Cayman Islands’ fourth imported case of the Zika virus was confirmed Wednesday by public health officials.
Third Zika case in Cayman confirmed
A third case of imported Zika virus in the Cayman Islands has been confirmed by public health officials.
Zika fears ‘impacting tourism’
Fear over the spread of the Zika virus in the Caribbean has been blamed for a decline in stay-over tourism in Grand Cayman this year.
Free HIV testing offered
Free HIV testing will be offered at several locations across the Cayman Islands from June 20 to 25, 2016.
Tourist tests positive for Zika
A stayover tourist tested positive for Zika after returning home, the Public Health Department said Friday. The department has not confirmed whether the person contracted Zika in Cayman, but this is the first case of the virus, which can cause birth defects in babies from infected mothers, associated with Cayman.
Student health screenings begin next month
The Public Health Department will conduct free health screenings over the summer for all first-time students entering government or private schools in the Cayman Islands.
Public health officials monitor for yellow fever
Cayman’s Public Health Department is advising people traveling to countries were yellow fever is endemic to take precautions and get vaccinated.
Imported case of dengue reported in Cayman
The Cayman Islands Public Health Department has reported a single imported case of dengue fever.
Vaccine week will include free immunization clinic
The Cayman Islands is joining other members of the Pan American Health Organization to mark the 14th anniversary of Vaccination Week in the Americas.
EDITORIAL – Opting out of public healthcare
It’s official: Not even the government wants to be locked into the government’s healthcare system.
Medical profession honors Dr. Kumar
The Cayman Islands Medical and Dental Society honored Cayman’s former Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kiran Kumar with a long-service award at its annual gala.
Cayman fighting Zika before it gets here
The red and white Mosquito Research and Control Unit plane began making the rounds this month, joined by truck-mounted foggers on the ground, to kill the mosquitoes blamed for spreading the Zika virus around South and Central America.
Margolis: The price of Zika
People are scrambling as the scary, mosquito-borne virus Zika winds its way through 26 (and counting) countries and territories in the Americas.
EDITORIAL – Going viral: The war against the mosquito
The mosquito is the deadliest animal in the world. So says Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who adds, “When it comes to killing humans, no other animal even comes close.”
Cayman prepares for Zika
As the World Health Organization prepares for an emergency meeting Monday on the mosquito-borne Zika virus, Cayman’s public health officials say they are prepared to deal with the potential for Zika reaching the islands.
Travel warning issued amid Zika virus concerns
The Public Health Department is advising all residents of the Cayman Islands to avoid nonessential travel to countries affected by the regional outbreak of...
