Hurricane Irene hit the Bahamas as a Category 3 storm, affecting all inhabited islands to various degrees from 23rd to 26th August 2011. Hurricane force winds extended outwards up to 70 miles from the centre and tropical storm force winds extended outward up to 290 miles from the centre. The storm surge raised water levels as much as 7 to 11 feet above normal tide levels over the central and north-western Bahamas.

The hurricane struck in the midst of an already raging dengue epidemic. This lead to cause for concern as stagnant water would lead to the increase in vector numbers and an increased risk of dengue transmission. Solid waste management was disrupted and debris increased the vulnerability to flooding and vector borne diseases, a realistic concern for vector related diseases such as dengue, malaria and leptospirosis.

The Pan American Health Organization, regional office of the World Health Organization for the Americas announces the opening of its newly relocated office for The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands, which is located on the second floor, Grosvenor Medical Centre, situated at Grosvenor Close, Shirley Street in Nassau.

Monday November 21, 2011 marked the last day of the 2011 Caribbean HIV conference. Under the theme “Strengthening evidence to achieve sustainable action”, this important conference brought together more than 2700 stakeholders on November 18-21, in Nassau, The Bahamas, to focus on forging a sustainable response to the HIV epidemic in the region.