LATE BREAKING NEWS FROM JAMAICA: 10-year-old Akaliah Anderson, dies from chikungunya virus (ChikV) complications... The Education Ministry Ronnie Thwaites said it was saddened by Akaliah’s death

Friday, October 17, 2014 | 5:12 PM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica —

A 10-year-old student of the Alpha Primary School in Kingston died Friday as a result of complications brought on by the chikungunya virus, the Education Ministry has confirmed.

A ministry release Friday afternoon said that Akaliah Anderson, who had reported to school for only one day (September 1, 2014), had revealed symptoms of the chikungunya virus.

It was reported that her condition had not improved and she was subsequently admitted to the hospital. She reportedly developed further complications including a swollen spleen and liver.

Little Akaliah died Friday.

The Education Ministry said it was saddened by Akaliah’s death and extended condolences to her family and school community. 

Ronnie Thwaites

A team of counsellors from the ministry will be providing emotional support to Akaliah’s family, students, teachers and administrative staff at the institution, the release said.

“This incident brings into sharp focus the need for school administrators, parents and the entire citizenry of Jamaica to begin the clean-up process in our communities – home, school, workplaces – in order to eliminate the spread of the ChikV caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes,” Education Minister Ronald Thwaites said. more