In light of the new alert, the Ministry of Health said it would continue to strengthen its capacity to respond to the virus.

Phase Six means that a new type of influenza virus has appeared and has been affecting many parts of the world. It is now characterised by human-to-human spread and community-level outbreaks in at least three countries.

Jamaica has so far not experienced any community-level outbreaks.

The health ministry said isolation facilities have been identified at all public hospitals. The ministry also noted that it was also in the process of increasing its laboratory capacity through the procurement of additional equipment and supplies.