Dr Francine Phillips-Kelly, the medical officer of health for St  James, says the parish’s health department is paying keen attention to the cruise ship piers in both Montego Bay and Falmouth, in Trelawny, as it takes steps to prevent the spread of the deadly hantavirus disease in western Jamaica.

Speaking at Thursday’s monthly meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation (StJMC), Phillips-Kelly noted that the vigilance in watching for any spread of the disease is especially important since Jamaicans are among the world’s most frequent overseas travellers.

“Something that is not necessarily in our region, but which we are keeping a close eye on, is the hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is a zoonotic viral respiratory disease,” she said. “We are keenly aware of this situation, and we have to remain vigilant, because, as we all know, St James is an active cruise shipment area, and our neighbours in Trelawny also continue to have arrivals. Aside from our cruise shipping, we travel as a people, and globally we are trotting.”