Barbados
The Ministry of Health recently revealed that three confirmed Mpox (monkeypox) cases have been identified in three adults since August.
One female and two males are affected, bringing the number of Mpox cases identified in Barbados to six since 2022.
The ministry added that the three individuals have no apparent travel history. However, two are known to have been in contact with each other. The cases were isolated at home.
Mpox is an infectious disease that spreads through close contact with an infected person. It can be spread through intimate or sexual contact, day-to-day household contact, and within healthcare settings where personal protective equipment is not used appropriately.
Mpox has also been transmitted by contaminated materials like linen or clothing.
Symptoms of infection with Mpox include a skin rash or lesions in the mouth, nose, or genitalia, which can last two to four weeks. These are accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Most cases recover fully; however, internationally, a very small percentage have resulted in death.
In Barbados, all Mpox cases to date have resolved.
CARICOM
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) agriculture ministers met recently to discuss a wide range of issues, including the status and trends in fisheries and aquaculture production, trade, and employment; initiatives to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; and a new grievance redress mechanism for the Belize-based Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM ).
The meeting forms part of the activities for the 19th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA 2025), which started on Sept. 29 with St. Kitts and Nevis Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Samal Duggins. This week underscores the central role of agriculture in regional development and resilience.
“Agriculture is not just another sector. It is the very lifeblood of our people. It is the guarantee that every family can access healthy and nutritious food,” he said, reflecting also on the CWA 2025 theme “Sowing Change, Harvesting Resilience: Transforming our Caribbean Food Systems for 2025,” saying that the “seeds we plant here today, the policies we shape, the partnerships we build, will determine the resilience and the prosperity that we shall reap tomorrow.”
He urged regional leaders to confront long-standing challenges and raise the agricultural agenda.
“Our region has not always given agriculture the priority it deserves. Too often, it has been seen as a last resort, rather than recognised as a pillar of sovereignty and a pillar of growth,” Duggins said.
Guyana
The Ministry of Health has launched the 2025 influenza vaccine.
A total of 15,000 doses are available with pregnant women, children, the elderly, people with chronic non-communicable diseases, and healthcare workers, among those targeted to receive the flu shot due to their vulnerability.
The first shot was given to several health officials, including Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, who said the influenza vaccination programme promises well for the country in the fight to combat the flu virus.
“Today is indeed a historic day for our country. For the first time in Guyana’s history, we are launching a national influenza vaccination programme. This moment marks a major step forward in strengthening our healthcare system, protecting our most vulnerable, and aligning Guyana with the global best practices in disease prevention.” Anthony said.
Globally, the flu affects one billion people annually, with approximately three to five million developing severe respiratory illness.
Anthony said the vaccine will, therefore, help to combat the virus, emphasizing that it is safe and will protect people from the flu.
“It will not give you the flu, but rather it will protect you and your loved ones. These vaccines have been proven to save lives, and that is what we want people to understand. The launch of the influenza vaccination is not just about preventing diseases today. You, we have all had that recent experience of COVID. It is not a matter of if we will have another pandemic; it is when we will have another pandemic, and so, if we want to be more prepared for future pandemics, then doing things like this is very important, ” the minister said.
Haiti
Kenya’s President William Ruto reiterated his country’s support for Haiti, lauding the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission deployed to the French-speaking Caricom member state, which was led by Kenya, as a success.
Ruto told the United Nations General Assembly Debate that the MSS mission – authorized by the UN Security Council in October 2023 to help improve security and policing is both a success and a cautionary tale about global security governance.”
He said Kenya “stepped forward, stepped up and deployed our officers” to confront rampant gang violence in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital.
However, he lamented that the mission remains underfunded and underequipped and operates below 40 percent of its authorised personnel strength.
Despite the constraints, Ruto said, “The MSS has delivered results many thought were impossible.”
He said government institutions once overrun by gangs were restored, schools reopened, kidnappings declined, and Haiti’s airport and seaport resumed normal operations.
He urged the UN Security Council to consolidate the hard-won gains achieved so far by the Kenyan-led mission as the UN body deliberates on the next steps.
St. Lucia
The St. Lucia government has approved the permanent establishment of non-established public sector employees, often referred to as wage employees, fulfilling a central commitment made in the 2025/2026 budget.
This policy will apply to employees who have completed at least two years of continuous service. Once implemented, approximately 1,288 workers across government ministries, departments, and agencies are expected to benefit.
In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said that these workers have served the government for many years without the security of permanent status, “With this approval, they will gain greater job security, recognition and stability.”
“Permanent status will also make it easier for workers to access loans, qualify for mortgages, and plan confidently for their families’ future.”
The statement added that the Department of the Public Service is currently processing submissions from agencies.
This process is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 10, after which implementation steps will occur.
“The cabinet’s approval reflects the government’s philosophy of fairness, dignity, and respect in work.
“It underscores a commitment to ensuring that those who serve the nation are properly recognised, supported and empowered to move forward with greater stability.”
Compiled by Devika Ragoonanan
