28 September, 2009 -- In May 2009 the World Health Organisation designated H1N1
as a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" and the virus has lived
up to its description. As the National Flu Committee deepens its response to
this flu, Saint Lucians are called upon to partner with the Committee.


Saint Lucia's Occupational Health and Safety Act require that employers provide
employees with the equipment and training needed to execute the job they were
hired for. With this in mind the NEMO Secretariat is advising persons who handle
money on a constant basis (e.g. Bank and Credit Union Tellers, Government and
Private Sector Cashiers etc.) to wear gloves.


Gloves do not replace the personal hygiene practices and so money handlers are
reminded not to touch their face or other surfaces with the used gloves...as
they may spread infection that way....and they should still wash hands
often....maybe change gloves often too.


Some businesses have already started the practice and we commend them for being
so pro active. The virus can live on a surface for 2 to 8 hours and contaminated
money can spread the virus easily as it goes from hand to hand. Vendors,
Deliverymen who collect payments and One Person Shops are reminded to wash their
hands with soap and water often for 20 seconds and if not available then to use
hand sanitizer. Advice that remains the same for the general public.


The Government, Red Cross and Civic Society cannot minimise the impact of this
virus without the cooperation of the General Public. Each one of us must play
our part or we will all remain vulnerable.


~*~*~*~*~

Further Resources

• Saint Lucia National Influenza Plan: www.tiny.cc/nip


• CDERA Media Kit for the Caribbean
http://stlucia.gov.lc/nemp/sector_plans/MediaKit.pdf