Saint Lucia is strengthening its health systems and border protocols in response to the latest Ebola outbreak to boost preparedness, despite no immediate threat to the region.
Health Minister Moses Jn Baptiste outlined the measures during Monday’s pre-Cabinet press briefing, saying steps are already being taken to reinforce the country’s readiness. He said strengthening protocols for port health service is among the first steps, alongside plans to put out regular updates through the Office of the Chief Medical Officer.
The Ministry of Health is also working to strengthen training for healthcare workers and improve infection prevention and control measures across the health system. Testing for any suspected cases will be handled through the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), while Saint Lucia continues to maintain adequate stocks of protective equipment.
Minister Jn Baptiste said surveillance systems will also be boosted, noting that the country will “upgrade our surveillance and ensure that our protocols are in place, so… doing what is necessary, just in case”.
Saint Lucia is coordinating its response with CARPHA, the Pan American Health Organisation, and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The update comes after the WHO declared the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. A rare and severe outbreak of the Bundibugyo ebolavirus is currently active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and has spread to Uganda.
Baptiste said the designation should be taken seriously, although there is no direct threat to the region. “This is very important, and this should get our attention, because this most recent Ebola virus outbreak…while at this time poses no threat to us in our region of the Eastern Caribbean, it’s very important for us to be aware of it, and it’s very important for us to prepare as a country and as a region, and to strengthen our protocols.”
While the WHO has not classified the current outbreak as a pandemic, Baptiste said it “may spread internationally, and it may require a coordinated international response”. There is currently no evidence of cross-border transmission.
Baptiste also provided historical context, noting that earlier Ebola strains such as the Zaire variant had a fatality rate of “up to 90 per cent”, while the Sudan strain was “about 50 per cent”. He said the current strain has a lower fatality rate of “about 30 per cent”, but warned, “this, however, does not mean that we should not be vigilant”.
He further noted that while licensed Ebola vaccines and approved therapeutics are available for some strains, “for the most recent one… there is currently no approved vaccine or therapeutic specific to this particular strain”.
Baptiste told reporters that the island’s Chief Medical Officer, along with a senior nurse administrator, is currently attending the World Health Assembly, where the outbreak is a key item on the agenda. He said the country is expected to receive updated information following their return.
