St James sees 'worrisome' increase in turbercolosis cases
Published:Friday | April 15, 2022 | 12:06 AM
Christopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Dr Francine Phillips-Kelly, the medical officer of health for St James, has noted a sharp rise in the parish's tuberculosis rate, with seven confirmed cases between January and March this year, compared to no cases over the corresponding period last year.
She made the revelation while addressing Thursday's monthly meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation (StJMC) as she presented the report from the local board of health.
According to Phillips-Kelly, the risk of spreading the respiratory illness is increased due to citizens' unsanitary habit of spitting in public, including along the roadside.
"It could be that now that we have a decline in COVID-19, that our focus is changed and we are seeing more [tuberculosis cases], but the fact is that there is a worrisome increase in tuberculosis, a condition that we thought we were over decades ago," said Phillips-Kelly, noting that there has been an increase in cases over the past 30 to 40 years.
A month ago, the StJMC had been informed of one confirmed case in the parish.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that is spread through droplets in the air and can affect different body parts, including the lungs, the brain, kidneys and spine. Symptoms include a cough lasting longer than two weeks, weight loss, fever and night sweats.
Jamaica Medical Doctors Association President Dr Mindi Fitz-Henley had previously urged Jamaicans to be vigilant in preventing the spread of tuberculosis, despite only 70 cases having been reported in the island up to 2020, as it would be dangerous to contract both tuberculosis and COVID-19.