The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment confirms a new case of Zika in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, bringing the total number of local patients diagnosed with the virus to three.
The patient is a 35 year old female of Bequia.
The Zika is a rarely fatal virus, and the majority of people who get infected hardly show any symptoms. Those who experience symptoms are usually mild and can include low-grade fever, headache, rash, aching muscles, joint pain or red eyes. The Ministry commends citizens for their active involvement in the fight against Zika and urges persons to continue to take the necessary steps to protect themselves. The Ministry assures that it is continuing to intensify its efforts in a targeted approach, to effectively tackle the Aedes Agepti mosquito and the Zika Virus.
Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Simone Keizer- Beache, says there is evidence to support the claim that the zika virus causes microcephaly and she appealed to persons to continue to protect themselves by using insect repellants, wearing long clothes and engaging in vigorous source reduction measures in their environment, such as the home, the workplace and schools.
Dr. Keizer-Beache encourages the public to work even more closely with the Ministry in the various activities that will be ongoing during mosquito awareness week, which runs from May 9th-15th. The week of activities will focus on mosquito control measures to protect the Vincentian population, especially pregnant women who may be at risk of getting Zika and its complications.
