Opposition Spokesman on Health Dr Alfred Dawes has warned that Jamaica could face a major public health crisis in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, urging the Government to prioritise access to medical care in devastated communities. He cautioned that “more people die after a natural disaster than during it,” pointing to the potential for outbreaks of gastroenteritis, dengue, leptospirosis, and other diseases. Dawes also warned of rising cases of heart attacks, strokes, and worsening chronic illnesses as access to medication and healthcare remains limited in cut-off areas.

Experts warn of public health emergency after storm

Jamaica Gleaner/2 Nov 2025/Corey Robinson

ALTHOUGH HURRICANE Melissa has passed, public health professionals are warning that Jamaicans are not yet out of danger as catastrophic disease outbreaks and a worsening of existing medical conditions could occur if urgent action is not taken to deliver healthcare and sanitation support to the hardest-hit areas.

The warnings come amid mounting reports of deaths and illnesses in communities devastated by the hurricane’s passage, as well as widespread looting that could further endanger lives if people consume contaminated or spoiled food.

“This is a humanitarian crisis in our country in terms of public health,” said Shereika Whitelocke-Ballingsingh, public health inspector and head of the Caribbean Poison Information Network (CARPIN). She pulled herself from tears as she spoke to The Sunday Gleaner last Friday.

“We have to consider water-borne diseases, food-borne illnesses, and the possibility of children being exposed. We see people looting and that raises concerns about them eating food that might have been exposed to sewage or vermin from the disaster, and dairy or meat that would have been in the ‘danger zone’ temperatures,” said Ballingsingh, openly grieving for the victims.

“The health and safety of children, and pregnant women are at serious risk,” she continued, citing mosquito and rodent-borne diseases, including leptospirosis, dengue and malaria, as threats.

Whitelocke-Ballingsingh urged Jamaicans to avoid travelling into disaster zones, noting that doing so could worsen traffic congestion and delay the arrival of rescue and relief teams.

STATE OF HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE

Meanwhile, Opposition Spokesman on Health Dr Alfred Dawes, has raised alarm over the state of healthcare infrastructure, especially in communities along Jamaica’s southern coast, and urged the Government to make medical access a top priority in the recovery effort.

“More people die after a natural disaster than those who die during the event. If we do not move to avert this unfolding humanitarian crisis over the next few weeks, dozens – if not hundreds – of Jamaicans may die from worsening of their chronic non-communicable diseases, and, the complications that may develop,” he said.

“There may also be outbreaks of gastroenteritis, dengue, leptospirosis and other diseases that may occur in a disaster area,” said Dawes, noting that he expects more from the Government in getting to communities and creating access to healthcare. “We need to get medical brigades into those communities. We need to see people who may be seeing an immediate increase in their blood pressure and sugar levels and start treatment immediately.”

Dawes warned that the country could also soon see an increase in heart attacks and strokes triggered by stress, lack of medication, and disrupted care.

He also cautioned that mosquito populations could spike in the aftermath of flooding, leading to a resurgence of vector-borne diseases. Respiratory conditions such as asthma and pneumonia are also expected to increase as many survivors are forced to sleep without proper shelter or exposure protection.

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