Jamaican PM calls for help in combating Chikungunya virus

KINGSTON, Oct. 14 (Xinhua/Sun) -- Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller on Tuesday called for more measures to combat a mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus.

Describing the outbreak of Chikungunya Virus since July this year in Jamaica a "national emergency", Simpson-Miller during her meeting with parliamentarians called for mobilizing resources to control and prevent the spread of the epidemic.

"This is not a task for government alone. All stakeholders have a vital role to play," she said.

The epidemic has spread to almost every corner of the country, resulting in temporary closing of some schools and factories in the past three month.

A major clean-up campaign will be started from the worst-affected areas to destroy mosquito breeding sites, she said, with some 500 million Jamaican dollars (4.46 million U.S. dollars) being allocated.

Meanwhile, the prime minister outlined a national response and action plan for the Ebola epidemic.

"I know that there are real concerns among the population. Let us discuss those concerns. There is nothing to be gained from inciting panic and fear," she said