PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued an epidemiological update due to a sharp increase in cases of measles in the Americas Region during 2025 and early 2026. PAHO described this as a warning sign that requires immediate and coordinated action by Member States.

PAHO has called on Member States to prioritize strengthening routine surveillance and vaccination activities.
Measles is highly contagious. A single infected person can transmit it to up to 18 others. Vaccination remains the most effective means of protection.

The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, is calling on guardians and parents to check the vaccine status of their child (ren) to see that they are up to date.

CPS continues to closely monitoring the measles situation in the Region.

Measles can cause potentially serious illness. Symptoms of measles typically manifest between 10 and 12 days after exposure but occasionally can take up to 21 days.

Initially resembling cold-like symptoms, measles progress to include fever, respiratory symptoms, conjunctivitis, and a characteristic rash. This rash, starting on the face and behind the ears before spreading, may consist of raised, non-itchy spots that eventually evolve into blotchy patches.

Measles is contagious even before the rash appears, with a person able to spread the infection for up to four (4) days beforehand. Once the rash develops, they can still transmit the virus for another four (4) days. If a person is suspected of having measles and a healthcare professional confirms it, it's important to stay away from places like childcare, school, or work for at least four (4) days from when the rash first appears.

Resting and drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, can help alleviate symptoms and prevent dehydration.

The best way to prevent contracting measles is through vaccination. The majority of people who get measles are unvaccinated.

The two-dose MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent measles. The vaccine is available, free-of-charge, to children at CPS.

Every person regardless of their age and if they are not fully un or immunized, is therefore at risk of contracting the disease; this is especially true in those countries where persistently low immunization rates increase the risk of a large outbreak with possible tragic consequences.

Countries should achieve and/or sustain at least 95% coverage with two doses of measles-containing vaccine to prevent circulation in the event of an importation of measles.

Travelers who are not up to date with their vaccinations are at higher risk of contracting measles when in close contact with travelers from countries where the virus is still circulating.

If you have any questions about your child's vaccination status or wish to make an appointment for vaccination, please contact CPS Section Youth Healthcare at 914 or 520-4163 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If persons decide to travel, they should also check their vaccination status and to make use of every opportunity to get vaccinated according to Sint Maarten’s National Immunization Program. vaccination schedule. Consult your physician for additional information.

CAY HILL:--- Twenty-two students have recently completed the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) Accelerated Registered Nursing Course (2023–2025) and are now officially recognized as Registered Nurses (RNs). The two-year program, which began in November 2023, was coordinated and facilitated by Nrs. Antonio Pantophlet, SMMC’s In-Patient Care and Education Manager, in collaboration with the Instituto pa Formashon Den Enfermeria (IFE) of Curaçao. The program falls under IFE’s accreditation, which is recognized in the Netherlands. This graduation marked the 6th group that has successfully advanced through SMMC’s accelerated RN program.
The course was specifically designed for Certified Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) with more than one year of field experience who wish to advance to the Registered Nurse level. Instruction was delivered in English and included theoretical and practical training across medical-surgical, geriatric, mental health, obstetric, pediatric, public health, and ambulance care. Students gained hands-on experience in acute, ambulatory, and long-term care settings under the supervision of clinical instructors and nursing preceptors.
The 22 graduates originated from several key health institutions on St. Maarten and neighboring islands, including 8 from SMMC, 8 from the White and Yellow Cross Care Foundation (WYCCF), 1 from the Ambulance Department, 1 from Saba Cares Medical Facility, 1 from the Statia Auxiliary Home, 2 from the Mental Health Foundation (MHF), and 1 from the private sector.
Examinations were conducted by Nrs. Antonio Pantophlet, President of the Exam Committee, and Nrs. Deborah Lourens-Bryson, Inspectorate and Nursing Educator at IFE. Local Registered Nurses from SMMC and WYCCF served as examiners during the practical evaluations and Mrs. Yvette Halley, Head of Examinations Division in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, also sat in on several presentations. During the ceremony, Nurse Davina Gabriel of SMMC’s Medical-Surgical Ward was named Valedictorian of the class of 2023-2025 to thunderous applause and a standing ovation – a testament to her hard work and dedication.
The evening’s ceremony featured special participation from prominent nurses who served in past decades at St. Rose Hospital and SMMC, symbolically bridging generations of nursing professionals. Former Nursing Supervisor of the Operating Room, Nrs. Orris Jack-Bell rendered the St. Maarten Song, Former Nursing Director and Patient Care Manager, Nrs. Ramona Illidge delivered the keynote address, while Nrs Brunilda Illidge, a former nursing educator who was instrumental in the previous programs and returned from retirement to support the 2023-2025 RN course, led the graduates in reciting the Florence Nightingale Pledge.
Honorable Prime Minister and former SMMC Surgeon Dr. Luc Mercelina and SMMC CEO and Medical Director Dr. Felix Holiday, both guest speakers for the graduation night, addressed the new graduates, reminded them of their new responsibilities and duties to their patients, and commended them on their perseverance, professionalism, and commitment during a time of global and local nursing shortages.
Course Coordinator and Manager of In-Patient Care/Education, Mr. Antonio Pantophlet, stated
“On behalf of SMMC, I extend heartfelt congratulations to all 22 newly appointed Registered Nurses. We are extremely proud of your achievements and honored to support local nurses in advancing their education right here at home. A sincere thank you goes out to the instructors, coaches, and all partnering institutions for their unwavering cooperation. To the families, friends, and colleagues of the graduates, we are grateful for the encouragement and support that helped make this milestone possible.”
The graduation of this 6th cohort reinforces the ongoing commitment of SMMC and its partners to strengthening the nursing workforce on St. Maarten and ensuring high standards of patient care for the community, as part of SMMC’s mission to provide high-quality care, close to home.

~Calling on Community Groups to Register Projects Before February 28 Deadline~

PHILIPSBURG:---  The SXM DOET team is urgently calling on community organizations on Dutch Sint Maarten to register their SXM DOET project(s) and submit their financial application(s) before the registration deadline.
SXM DOET, the island’s largest volunteer initiative, will take place on May 15 and 16, 2026, under the theme “From Jump Up to Step Up for a Brighter Sint Maarten.” The initiative provides organizations with the opportunity to receive volunteer support and financial assistance to execute projects that strengthen our community, organizations and improves the quality of life of the beneficiaries across the island.
With the February 28, 2026 deadline quickly approaching, the organizing team is encouraging NGOs, foundations, schools, sports clubs, neighborhood community councils, senior homes, at-risk youth organizations, and other non-profit initiatives to act now.
“Each year, SXM DOET makes a lasting, tangible difference in our communities, but that impact depends on the projects submitted by our local organizations,” the organizers stated. “We know there are many great ideas out there, and we strongly encourage organizations not to miss this opportunity to receive support, funding, and volunteers to bring those ideas to life.”
Organizations can submit projects focused on community beautification, social support, environmental improvement, at-risk youth and senior activities, facility upgrades, and other project ideas that benefit the wider community.
SXM DOET is part of a Kingdom-wide movement that mobilizes more than a thousand volunteers annually in Sint Maarten. The event not only delivers immediate community improvements but also showcases the spirit and importance of volunteerism and social responsibility on the island.
Organizations interested in participating must register their projects and submit any financial requests no later than February 28, 2026.

Project registration and guidelines are available at www.sxmdoet.com
For more information, organizations may contact the SXM DOET team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via Whatsapp at +1 721 587 7508.
Register your project today and let’s move from Jump Up to Step Up for a brighter Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten is mentioned multiple times in a sweeping release of documents made public by the United States Department of Justice in connection with the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 

The Department has published approximately three million pages of records through a dedicated online portal known as the “Epstein Library.” Officials have warned that parts of the archive contain graphic descriptions of sexual abuse. 

A review of publicly accessible documents shows that “St. Maarten,” “Saint Martin,” “Philipsburg,” and “Orient Bay” appear primarily in email exchanges about travel logistics. The correspondence involves Epstein, members of his inner circle, flight crew, yacht staff, and close associates. 

At the same time, former U.S. President Donald Trump is facing renewed scrutiny in the United States, as media analyses indicate that his name appears thousands of times across the released Epstein files, including in contact lists and correspondence. The inclusion of a name in the archive does not in itself establish wrongdoing, but the volume of references has intensified public and political attention. 

PJIA cited as transit hub 

The documents indicate that Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) served as a transit point for passengers traveling to Epstein’s private island, Little St. James, near St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Emails detail business-class travel from European cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Moscow, and Warsaw, as well as from the United States, with onward connections to St. Thomas. Some correspondence references helicopter transfers or small charter aircraft from St. Maarten. Other emails discuss ticket pricing, cancellations and potential overnight stays on the island. 

In the excerpts reviewed, references to St. Maarten relate strictly to transportation coordination. No published sections currently available describe alleged criminal acts occurring on St. Maarten itself. 

The files also suggest that St. Maarten functioned as a base for yacht movements to nearby islands, including Saint Barthelemy and Anguilla, with provisioning reportedly sourced from businesses in Simpson Bay and Marigot. 

Trump’s estate in Terres Basses 

Renewed international scrutiny surrounding Donald Trump — particularly due to the widespread references to his name in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein files — has also brought fresh local attention to his past ties to St. Martin. 

Specifically, it has refocused public interest on Trump’s former ownership of Le Château des Palmiers, a prominent luxury beachfront estate located in Terres Basses on the French side of the island.  

According to multiple property records and financial disclosures, Trump purchased the estate in 2013 through companies he controlled. The property became part of his international real estate portfolio and was primarily operated as a high-end luxury rental. 

In 2017, during his presidency, Trump — through his trust and associated entities — placed the estate on the market with an asking price of US $28 million. The listing drew international headlines at the time, as it was one of the few major Trump properties publicly marketed for sale while he was in office. 

Later that same year, the asking price was reportedly reduced by approximately US$11 million due to limited buyer interest, bringing it down to around US$16 million. 

More recent global real estate listings show the estate currently offered for approximately US $15.5 million, reflecting a continued downward adjustment from the original 2017 price. The property comprises a five-bedroom oceanfront villa and a four-bedroom garden villa, with amenities including a swimming pool, tennis court, fitness facilities, and direct beach access. 

There is no public evidence that ownership has changed hands since Trump first listed the property for sale. At the time it was placed on the market, it remained under his ownership via a trust or associated corporate entities. The continued presence of active listings at lower prices suggests the estate remains unsold rather than having been privately transferred.

Photo source: https://www.caribiquevillarentals.com/en/villa-details.html?object=/le-chateau-des-palmiers/st-martin/157

 NOTE: Published with permission from StMaartenNews.com