Health Ministry reports recent Flu outbreak in Dominica that had many concerned is officially over

​A recent Flu outbreak here which had many concerned is officially over according to the island's Ministry of Health.
 
In a statement issued Thursday, the Health Ministry said "The Ministry of Health and Environment informs the Public that the outbreak of Acute Respiratory Infections (Flu) in Dominica, due to the Influenza A (H3N2) virus is officially over".
 
It continued, "According to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, the end of a disease outbreak in a country can be declared over, once two maximum incubation periods have passed and no new case has been detected. The incubation period for influenza A (H3N2) or flu is 1-4 days (average 2 days).
 
The last laboratory confirmed case of influenza A (H3N2) in Dominica was on November 20, 2016. As a result, the Ministry of Health and Environment declares that the influenza/flu epidemic is officially over as of December 10, 2016".
 
The flu outbreak was announced on November 7, 2016.  According to a release, the distribution of the cases mainly concentrated within the Portsmouth, Roseau, Marigot and St. Joseph Heath Districts, with mainly persons 5 years and over being the most affected.
 
A total of ninety (90) cases had been hospitalized,but mostly children. The hospital admissions among the adult group had related conditions of diabetes, hypertension and asthma.
 
Meanwhile, the Ministry is reminding the public to be on alert for the usual seasonal flu, which begins from the end of December to the end of March.