IN JAMAICA: Chikungunya virus, ‘Chik-V’ results in 30 per cent absenteeism in schools....A survey by the ministry revealed that 3,911 students and 591 teachers were absent from schools. The most affected parishes, with 2,487 suspected cases, were Kingston and St Andrew,

Tuesday, October 07, 2014 | 6:55 PM  

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Suspected cases of the Chikungunya virus has resulted in up to 30 per cent absenteeism of staff and students in schools across the six regions as at Tuesday, the Ministry of Education has said.

A survey by the ministry revealed that 3,911 students and 591 teachers were absent from schools.

Education Minister Ronald Thwaites

The most affected parishes, with 2,487 suspected cases, were Kingston and St Andrew, which comprise region one. This is followed by 945 suspected cases in region two, which includes St Thomas, Portland and St Mary.

The least affected parishes, with 23 suspected cases, were Manchester and St Elizabeth which are located in region five.

Education Minister Ronald Thwaites has commended the management and staff of the affected schools for their efforts in keeping the institutions open as well as for providing as much health care as possible to students.

Thwaites has appealed to parents to be on the alert for symptoms of Chik-V and other illnesses and to get medical attention for their children immediately.‏