CHRISTIANSTED — Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. issued the following statement today on the proposed use of a one-time $39 million Medicaid reimbursement to the government of the U.S. Virgin Islands:“The Bryan-Roach Administration has made its priorities clear to the public and will continue its work toward those priorities.” “Since taking office in January, the Bryan-Roach […]
Category: Health News
How Pure Is Your Cistern Water? Is The Water Safe To Drink Untreated? The CDC Wants To Know
CHRISTIANSTED — Traditional water usage patterns imply 90 percent of households in the USVI collect and store water in cisterns. Unfortunately, there is little available information on the quality of this water. There is no evidence-based guidance available for the use and/or management of household cistern water. Recent surveys suggest the following about the use […]
FDA Approves Vaccine To Prevent Dengue Disease
CHRISTIANSTED — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the vaccine Dengvaxia on Wednesday for the prevention of dengue disease endemic in areas like the U.S. Virgin Islands, European Union and 19 other countries. Dengue is a mosquito-borne virus that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) globally infects approximately 400 million […]
Lemartec and V.I. Port Authority Host Community Health And Safety Fair
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Lemartec, the prime construction manager rebuilding Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) assets impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, is co-hosting a Health & Safety Fair with VIPA this Saturday, May 11th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Cyril E. King Airport. The event will be held in the main baggage […]
Two V.I. Department of Health Employees Receive Recognition at National Meeting
ORLANDO — Two Department of Health employees recently received national recognition for their work in vector control at the 85th American Mosquito Control Association annual meeting in Florida. The employees, David Delgado and Aubrey Drummond, each received the Boyz-Ariaz Grass Roots Award, an award that commends non-supervisory field staff and technician excellence in vector control […]
V.I. Health Department Monitoring Quarantined Cruise Ship In St. Lucia
CHRISTIANSTED — The Virgin Islands Government and other local entities are monitoring a developing public health issue in St. Lucia, where a cruise liner has been quarantined due to a reported measles infection on board. The vessel, named “Freewinds,” is still moored there, and no one has been allowed to disembark the ship following the […]
Two St. Croix Senators Warn Of Dangers Of Measles Outbreak On U.S. Mainland
CHRISTIANSTED Senate President Kenneth Gittens has urged Virgin Islanders to remain vigilant in protecting themselves against contracting measles in light of the 2019 outbreak now affecting 22 states. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control more than 700 people have been infected with measles, the greatest number since 1994 and since measles was declared […]
Governor Bryan Announces Appointment of Human Services Commissioner
CHRISTIANSTED — Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. today announced Kimberley Causey-Gomez as Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services (DHS). Causey-Gomez, who is a former 12-year employee with DHS, served as Assistant Commissioner and Administrator for the Division of Children, Youth and Families with the department before her departure from the agency in 2011. […]
Nearly 100 people Sick In Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Pre-Cut Melon Sold At Target, Walmart, Elsewhere
INDIANAPOLIS — Caito Foods LLC is voluntarily recalling pre-cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and fruit medley products containing one of these melons due to the possibility of salmonella contamination, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration said Friday. A total of 93 cases have been reported in the outbreak, […]
British Song Set To Drop Friday Highlights Plight of Ella Gaspard of St. Thomas
LONDON — A new song by the British duo The Luck titled “Ella’s Hope” will be released on Friday. “Ella’s Hope” is a ballad about a five-year-old girl living in the U.S. Virgin Islands with a rare, severe neurological condition known as Rett Syndrome and her journey for a cure. Ella Gaspard of St. Thomas […]