No Swine Flu Confirmed Onboard Tanker, Press Briefing Scheduled

Acting Health Commissioner Julia Sheen said today that St. Croix is expecting an oil tanker that originated from Mexico to dock at the HOVENSA port on Sunday and that as part of ramped up surveillance efforts, none of the crew members will disembark.

“Contrary to circulated reports, none of the crew members is suspected of having contracted the H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as Swine flu,” Sheen said.

However, an agreement was reached with medical personnel at HOVENSA for the crew to observe “voluntary social distancing” by staying aboard the tanker. Sheen said such measures are a routine part of stepped up surveillance efforts in light of the increase in confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus across more than a dozen states. 

To date, there has been no confirmed cases in the Virgin Islands, Sheen said.

HOVENSA, which partnered in 2006 with the Health Department for its Pandemic Flu Summit, continues to work closely with Health officials for the well-being of both its employees and the island of St. Croix.

“We thank HOVENSA for continuing to work with us and for contacting us about the tanker,” Sheen said.

The Health Department meanwhile has scheduled a second press briefing at 3 p.m. on Monday, May 4, 2009, at the Charles Harwood Complex to update residents on the H1N1 virus. VITEMA Director Mark Walters and other government officials will also be on hand.

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