Dengue, Chikungunya fever (CHIKV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) are all transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and are currently circulating in Jamaica. Jamaica has been experiencing a ZIKV epidemic since February 2016. At the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Kingston, Jamaica, a cluster of five cases of paralysis attributed to neuro-inflammation was noted amongst adolescents admitted to the Institution. Three were diagnosed with acute myelitis and one each with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).

Background: Jamaica, along with the Americas, experienced major epidemics of arboviral diseases transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito in recent years. These include: Dengue fever in 2012, Chikungunya fever in 2014 and Zika virus infection (ZIKV) in 2016. We present the emergence of the ZIKV epidemic in Jamaica and outline the national response.

Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic now involves 72 countries, worldwide. Transmission is multimodal through mosquito bites and blood and body fluids. Zika virus causes Guillain-Barre Syndrome and pregnancy complications including perinatal microcephaly. Diagnosis is complicated by subclinical infection in 80%, co-circulation with dengue and chikungunya fevers with similar presentations and cross-reactivity in serological tests. There is no cure, or preventive vaccine.

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Objective: To examine the influence of gender on the health status of older Jamaicans and to identify key health-related determinants.

Methods: Nationally representative data were used to quantify gender differences for 10 chronic diseases and key determinants of health (ie lifestyle, social, financial, biological, healthcare utilization).

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Background and Aims: Pleomorphic carcinoma is a rare tumour of the lung. The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with pleomorphic pulmonary carcinoma.

Methods: The records of the pathology department from January 2005 to December 2013 were evaluated. Twenty cases of pleomorphic pulmonary carcinoma were identified and studied.

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Objective: This study was carried out to determine the incidence rate (IR) and selected demographic and other epidemiologic characteristics of first-time acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients admitted to the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) in South Trinidad, a predominantly Indo-Trinidadian (280 428) and Afro-Trinidadian (127 837) population.