The ministry said these meetings aim to inform operators of pre-schools and day-care facilities as well as parents and guardians on the epidemiological, legal and clinical particulars associated with the disease.

It will also educate the various stakeholders on preventative and control measures.

Besides the Health Ministry, other agencies involved in spearheading the meetings are the Environmental Health Division and the BVI Health Services Authority.

The meetings are all scheduled in zones where childhood centres exist.

Scheduled meetings

All meetings begin at 5:30 pm. The first of the series will be held on Thursday, October 31 at the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School. This meeting is specifically for residents in the Sea Cow’s Bay and Duff’s Bottom areas.

Stakeholders in the Towers, West End and Carrot Bay areas will have their meeting on Friday, November 1 at the Leonora Delville Primary School.

The third meeting will be held on Monday, November 4, for residents of Pasea, Purcell, Johnsons Ghut, Baughers Bay and Belle Vue, at the New Testament Church of God.

The following day - Tuesday, November 5 - will be at the Long Look Methodist Church Hall for areas of Vanterpool Estate and Fat Hog’s Bay.

The final meeting is set for Wednesday, November 6, for residents of Lower Estate, Huntum’s Ghut, Great Mountain and Main Street areas at the Althea Scatliffe Primary School.

What sparked the meetings?

BVI News reported last week that nearly one dozen childcare facilities in the territory were affected by this contagious disease. by National

Epidemiologist, Harmony Brewley said it was a cause for concern locally since the disease had started to become more harmful and resulting in death.