PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- During the 2024 Carnival season there will be lots to eat and drink. In connection with safe food preparation at home or grabbing a bite from food kiosks; street market vendors; booth holders; and other points of sale, the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), reminds the public of the importance to observe and practice safe food handling.

Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and intestine, and is usually due to infection by viruses, bacteria or to food-poisoning toxins. The associated symptoms with gastroenteritis are diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, fever, and headache. The most common symptoms are vomiting and repeated episodes of diarrhea (three or more episodes within 24 hours). To ensure proper diagnosis, care, and treatment, consult your house doctor, who may refer you to your local laboratory for sample collection.

Unsafe food poses health threats, endangering everyone. Infants, young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with an underlying illness are particularly vulnerable.

Infection can spread when bacteria found in feces or vomit is transferred to other objects. Bacteria can be transferred through poor hygiene. It is spread through contamination of hands, objects or food infected with the aforementioned.

For example, if someone does not wash their hands properly after going to the toilet, any viruses or bacteria on their hands will be transferred to whatever they touch, such as glass, kitchen utensil or food.

To prevent the spread of the infection, wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet and before eating or preparing food; regularly clean hard surface/counters and wipe down with bleach solution. Make it a routine habit to adhere to proper hand hygiene and cough etiquette.

Cross-contamination of food occurs when bacteria is transferred between different foods, from food to surfaces, and from surfaces to food. It is important to be aware of cross-contamination when preparing and storing food.

You can avoid food poisoning and keep yourself and others safe by: preparing food hygienically; not washing raw meat, fish and poultry; washing fruit and vegetables; storing food properly; cleaning recyclable plastics carefully; using shopping bags safely; and cleaning any reusable containers properly.

Temperature control is essential for food safety. Using temperature controls minimizes the potential for harmful bacterial growth and toxin formation in food. Temperature
controls either keep food entirely out of the danger zone or pass food through the danger zone as quickly as possible.

If food temperatures do not meet requirements or if food shows evidence of previous temperature abuse, do not accept the food, or discard the products.

If a food handler, a caretaker, or persons, are diagnosed with gastroenteritis, with your physician’s consultation, you should remain at home and practice good hygiene while you recuperate.

This will help to mitigate the further spread of gastroenteritis cases within the community. Be on the alert and help minimize the spread of foodborne diseases by taking the necessary hygienic and preventive steps.

Proper hand hygiene helps in preventing bacteria and germs. Let us collectively have a safe, healthy, and enjoyable Carnival Season 2024.

For more information call CPS at 542-1122, 542-1222, 542-1322 and 542-1570; or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PHILIPSBURG: --- The male victim who was severely injured in the Pointe Blanche explosion on Friday afternoon succumbed to his injuries on Monday in Cali, Colombia, Police have confirmed.
The victim, of Asian descent and well-known in the St. Maarten community, has been identified as Andy Huang (28) of Sunshine Supermarket on Ginnep Road, St. Peters.
Huang was air-evacuated to Fundación Valle del Lili Hospital in Cali, Colombia, on Sunday for further medical treatment. Huang, who was in critical condition at the time he was air evacuated, received burns over 90% of his body in the blast on Friday afternoon. Police have said they are busy investigating the cause of the explosion.
Huang and a female friend were inside an apartment in Pointe Blanche on Friday when the explosion took place around 5 pm.

SMN News learned that the female victim was also air-evacuated to Panama for further medical treatment.
In a press release on Sunday, police said that they had responded to an explosion at a gray apartment complex in the Pointe Blanche area on Friday afternoon, April 19th, 2024, around 5:00 PM. Upon receiving multiple calls regarding the incident, several patrols, ambulances, and the Fire Department were swiftly dispatched to the scene.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosion occurred when one of the victims attempted to turn on the stove, resulting in a sudden and powerful blast. This unfortunate incident resulted in severe injuries to both individuals present in the dwelling. Immediate first aid was administered before the victims were transported to the medical center for further treatment.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The St Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation has aided two households that lost their possessions in a fire that gutted their homes in the Dutch Quarter on Sunday, March 23.

The foundation provided emergency cash relief of US $400 to each family as well as provided them with food packages containing essential supplies. The two households will receive the food packages monthly until their situation improves. The donation was made on Wednesday, April 16, at the Tzu Chi Center on LB Scott Road.

Three households lost all of their possessions in the fateful March 23 fire. On April 5, Tzu Chi volunteers visited the fire site and met with those affected by the fire to conduct an assessment. The assessment showed that a senior lost everything and became homeless. Fortunately, he was accepted as a resident in the St. Martin’s Home.

Paul Phillips, a middle-aged resident who lived alone, lost everything in the fire. Phillips is temporarily staying with a sibling.

Resident Carolina Acosta and her husband also lost everything in the blaze. They were in the process of relocating to a residence nearby when their home was destroyed by the fire. The family lost most of their belongings including their stove. The wife was unable to cook as a result of the loss.

Following the evaluation, Tzu Chi decided to support two of the households with monthly food packages until their life returns to normalcy as well as emergency cash of US $400 to each family.

The two households were appreciative of the assistance. Philips said he is very grateful for the support and indicated that he was touched and speechless that Tzu Chi extended such love and care to him during his time of need.

Tzu Chi Commissioner Sandra Cheung said the foundation is humbled that it was able to assist the households.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten expresses concern over recent incidents of individuals disregarding safety instructions during the Jumps Ups and Junior Parade on Sunday, April 21st, 2024. Despite clear directives from authorities to ensure the general safety and security of all participants and spectators, there were regrettable instances of non-compliance.

In one incident, officers were compelled to intervene with two scooter riders who callously bypassed barricades placed on closed roads designated for the safe passage of the parade. These riders, lacking any documentation for their vehicles and blatantly ignoring lawful orders from police officers, had their scooters confiscated.

To prevent such reckless behavior from escalating, the Police Force of Sint Maarten issues a stern warning to the public. A zero-tolerance policy will be enforced regarding such infractions during upcoming jump-ups and parades.

All individuals attending these events must adhere to safety protocols and instructions issued by law enforcement. Failure to comply will result in immediate action by officers to maintain the safety and security of all participants and spectators.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten remains committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment.

KPSM Press Release.