Jamaica tightens US produce checks as Cyclospora cases climb; Kingston water cuts and Beryllium fire death

Jamaica has stepped up checks on iceberg lettuce, other leafy greens, and fruit that originate in or pass through the United States after a multi-state outbreak of Cyclospora, a parasite that causes diarrhoea.

The Ministry of Agriculture said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had logged 1,644 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases and 94 hospital admissions as of July 18. Investigators have not yet closed the inquiry.

The National Water Commission has also begun overnight supply cuts from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. for households in Washington Gardens, Marverley, and adjoining districts in the corporate area, citing prolonged dry weather. The measure started on Sunday and will continue until further notice.

Separately, another person injured in the May 27 blaze at Beryllium Garage in Kingston has died. Damian Walters, 43, who worked with Guardsman Group, died on Monday while being treated at a specialised burn facility in Augusta, Georgia.

In athletics, national under-20 record holders Garrique Card and Shanoya Douglas have been selected to run the sprint double at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, from August 5 to 9.

At midday foreign-exchange trading, the US dollar sold for J$159.52, the British pound for J$216.63, and the Canadian dollar for J$115.57.

Wednesday’s outlook calls for mostly sunny morning skies, though eastern parishes should see partly cloudy conditions. Showers and thunderstorms, with haze, are expected in the afternoon over central and western parishes.