Don’t panic.
That’s the advice from Department of Disaster Management officials today after a text message hoax circulated warning that rain in the Virgin Islands could contain harmful radiation from the recent blasts at a nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan.
“The Virgin Islands are not expected to experience any harmful levels of radioactivity resulting from any radioactive releases occurring in Fukushima, Japan,” the release stated.
According to the release, the text message incorrectly states that VI residents could be in danger of burns, alopecia or cancer if they go out in the rain. DDM Director Sharleen DaBreo said the department has been “monitoring the situation in Japan since Friday,” and has consulted Dr. Irad Potter, the territory’s chief medical officer.
Dr. Potter has been in contact with the World Health Organisation and other international officials, and so far no health warnings have been issued, Ms. DaBreo said.
According to the release, the DDM has also been in touch with representatives from the National Weather Service and the Puerto Rico Seismic Network. Both agencies shared statements from the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which is watching for any radioactive releases “with the intention of being able to predict their path.”
See Thursday’s edition for full coverage.