Epidemiological Update: Diphtheria in Hispaniola - 23 April 2021
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In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) reiterates to Member States that vaccination and epidemiological surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases should be considered an essential health service that should not be interrupted. PAHO/WHO also reminds Member States that a single laboratory confirmed case of diphtheria should trigger a public health response.
Summary of the situation in the Americas
In 2021, between epidemiological week (EW) 1 and EW 15, two countries have reported confirmed cases of diphtheria: the Dominican Republic with 12 confirmed cases including 9 deaths, and Haiti with 11 confirmed cases including 2 deaths. Both countries are located on the island of Hispaniola.
[UPDATED] National Security Ministry sends relief supplies to St Vincent
11 Hrs Ago
ODPM and TT Defence Force personnel load sleeping cots onto the C26 Regional Security System (RSS) aircraft, at the TT Air Guard’s Ulric Cross Air Station (UCAS), Piarco, to support relief efforts in St Vincent and the Grenadines. PHOTO COURTESY ODPM -
The Ministry of National Security said it was co-ordinating its efforts to help the people of St Vincent, in light of the La Soufriere volcano eruption.
The ministry said the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), along with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the Defence Force, combined their efforts to help with relief supplies to St Vincent.
(PAHO), Press Release
Bridgetown, Barbados, April 9, 2021 (PAHO) - The Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) has mobilized to help the government of Saint Vincent and Grenadines respond to eruption activity of Volcano La Soufriere and to a possible explosive eruption.
After several days of increased seismic activity, Saint Vincent and Grenadines has issued a red alert and evacuation order for nearly 20.000 people who live in the northern part of the main island of St. Vincent, where Volcano La Soufriere is located.
PAHO/WHO, through its Eastern Caribbean office based in Barbados, is coordinating with Saint Vincent national authorities to identify critical needs and is supporting the Ministry of Health with technical advice on enforcement of public health measures, and with shipments of 150,000 medical masks, other personal protective equipment, medical supplies and test kits.
PAHO mobilizes to help Saint Vincent and the Grenadines respond to eruptions of Volcano La Soufriere - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines reliefweb.int - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from reliefweb.int Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Guyana receives first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX mechanism
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29 Mar 2021
Georgetown, 29 January 2021 Guyana today received 24,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses through the COVAX Facility, a partnership between the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the United Nations Children s Fund (UNICEF).
The arrival marks a historic step towards ensuring equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally, in the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history. This delivery is part of the first phase of deliveries for Guyana, with more vaccines expected to arrive successively during 2021. According to the first round of COVAX allocations, Guyana is expected to continue receiving doses through May until it reaches 100,800, the amount specified by COVAX.