Sneezing, sniffling, burning feeling in your eyes? It’s probably because of the presence of Saharan dust in the Caribbean.
Several meteorological offices in the Caribbean region have issued health warnings as a result of the Saharan dust.
The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services in an Air Quality Bulletin yesterday said air quality is down to moderate levels as a result of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated with a fresh surge in the Saharan Dust.
The threat of health problems is elevated, for mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics and could potentially cause them limited health impacts. The air quality could rise further to unhealthy levels for sensitive groups today.

The Department of Disaster Management of the British Virgin Islands has also issued a message saying air quality is Moderate to High.
It states with a fresh surge in Saharan Dust, the threat of health problems is elevated, for mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics. These conditions are expected to affect the BVI for the next few days going into the weekend.
It notes that the conditions of the constant dusty flow can cause allergic reactions like itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, dry cough, post-nasal drainage and sneezing.
The St Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Service in its 72-hour outlook yesterday said a plume of Saharan dust haze will be present across the islands fluctuating in concentrations throughout the forecast period.
The Meteorological Department in St Maarten in its latest forecast informed persons with allergies and/or respiratory illnesses should be vigilant as hazy conditions will prevail as a plume of Saharan dust continues to drift through the region. As a result, visibility and air quality will be affected across the local area.
In Montserrat, the public has been advised a plume of Saharan dust haze is in the area.

The Montserrat Disaster Management Coordination Agency says active children and adults on Montserrat, and people with respiratory and heart diseases, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion or restrict outdoor activity.
It says windows and doors should be kept closed as much as possible, and a facemask should be worn when going outside.
The agency notes the Saharan Dust is a normal yearly phenomenon and the Saharan Air Layer travels across the Atlantic to the Caribbean which includes Montserrat.
Plumes of dust continuously push westward off the coast of Africa during the months of June, July and August. It can happen as early as May some years if conditions are right.
And the US National Weather Service in Puerto Rico has warned that a Saharan dust event is expected to deteriorate air quality from Thursday to Friday.
It says symptoms associated with Saharan dust presence include nose irritation, sinusitis, allergies, asthma exacerbation, throat irritation, eye and skin irritation, acute bronchitis and risk of respiratory infection.