CPS CLOSELY MONITORING NEW FLU RESPIRATORY VIRUS 2019-NCOV

On January 25, 2020, the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department from the Sint Maarten Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), issued a public statement that they are closely monitoring international health developments related to the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) respiratory virus in Asia.

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.  Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) said on Thursday that there have been no confirmed cases or reports of the respiratory illness in the Caribbean region based on current information, and that the immediate health risk from this virus to the general public remains low.

The Ministry VSA will continue to keep the public informed with respect to developments related to 2019-nCoV as information becomes available from PAHO and the World Health Organization (WHO).

For more information, you can call CPS 542-1322, 1122, 1222 or 542-1570.

Click here for full press release issued by CPS.

SZV will remain in contact with CPS and we will share important updates as they become available.