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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has again urged persons to take every precaution to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, especially in the wake of the mosquito borne Zika disease being detected in Suriname
Earlier this month, CARPHA confirmed five cases of the virus in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member state.
In a release on Monday, CARPHA’s Executive Director, Dr James Hospedales, said the continued appeal to avoid being bitten is even more critical for women who are pregnant, as the Ministry of Health in Brazil investigates a link between the mosquito-borne Zika virus and an increased incidence of microcephaly.
Microcephaly is a condition where the size of an infant’s head is smaller than normal, because of slowed or incomplete brain development.
Zika virus is now suspected to be one of the infections that can increase the risk of this condition. “CARPHA is therefore reminding all persons, and especially women who are pregnant, to protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved clothing or long pants, using insect repellents, and sleeping under mosquito nets. It is also important to destroy all breeding sites for mosquitoes in and around the home,” the statement said.
While there is no evidence to date that Zika has spread to other Caribbean countries, Hospedales, is calling on its Caribbean Member States to continue to strengthen their surveillance programmes. He said “Member States must remain vigilant and step up their vector control.”
Given that a diagnosis of Zika can only be confirmed by laboratory testing, CARPHA has also provided Chief Medical Officers throughout the Region with guidelines for clinicians to follow when sending samples of suspected cases of the virus to the Agency for testing.
“Although we do not recommend any restrictions on travel due to Zika virus outbreaks, to reduce the risk of contracting the virus infection, travellers should minimise exposure to mosquito bites by taking preventative measures,” he said.
The symptoms of the Zika virus are very similar to that of Dengue and Chikungunya and include fever, muscle and joint pain, conjunctivitis, headache, nausea, and rash.
There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, however, symptoms which last approximately four to seven days, are treatable. To relieve fever and pain associated with the virus, it is recommended that persons drink lots of fluids and take pain relievers such as paracetamol.
Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided to reduce the risk of hemorrhage.
