Zika Virus Update as of 16 February, 2016
The Acting Medical Officer of Health wishes to advise that as of Tuesday, 16 February, 2016 there are no reported or confirmed cases of Zika virus in the Cayman Islands.
Currently, there are 34 countries worldwide which have reported autochthonous (local) transmission of the virus. These include Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Venezuela, Barbados, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Suriname, US Virgin Islands, Maldives, Thailand, American Samoa, Samoa, Solomon Island, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Cape Verde.
There are also confirmed cases in the United States of America.
While there are no confirmed cases of the Zika virus in the Cayman Islands, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr Samuel Williams-Rodriguez is using this opportunity to remind residents and visitors alike that the dengue and chikungunya viruses are still circulating within the Caribbean region.
“The public can be assured that the Public Health Department is maintaining a high level of surveillance and our partners at the Mosquito and Research and Control Unit (MRCU) have already begun intensifying integrated vector management strategies for control of vector borne diseases,” said Dr Williams. “We continue with health education, and reminding the public of the importance of the avoidance of mosquito bites and the elimination of breeding sites.”
MRCU Director, Dr William Petrie outlined his department’s commitment to the effort, “MRCU’s Zika Contingency Plan is well underway in an effort to reduce the risk of transmission should the virus reach Cayman. We are now in the third week of our Action Plan – Phase 1, to reduce the numbers of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito responsible for transmission,” he commented. “While recent weather conditions have precluded some spraying operations, we have taken the opportunity to conduct comprehensive house-to-house treatments and, in particular, wide-spread surveys in order to better guide future operations. Management and staff at MRCU remain vigilant in these efforts to combat the Zika virus, and operations are on-going to protect residents and visitors to the Cayman Islands.”
For further information contact the Public Health Department on 244-2621 or the MRCU on 949-2557.
Symptoms of the Zika Virus
The symptoms of the Zika Virus are very similar to that of dengue and chikungunya; they include fever, muscle and joint pain, conjunctivitis (pink eye), headache, nausea, and rash. There is no vaccine or treatment; 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 a lot of fluids and take pain relievers such as Paracetamol.
Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided to reduce the risk of haemorrhage.
Residents are also reminded that the infection may present itself as asymptomatic (showing no symptoms).
Symptoms usually appear following an incubation period of three to 12 days after the bite of an infected mosquito, lasting between four to seven days, and are self-limiting.
Complications of the infection requiring hospitalisation are rare. However, three fatal cases have been detected to date in Brazil.
