Second Locally Transmitted Zika Virus Case Reported
The Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez would like to provide an update on yesterday’s report advising of Cayman’s first locally transmitted Zika Virus case.
Further investigation into the report received from Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has revealed a second case of locally transmitted Zika virus. This was previously included in the number classified as imported cases.
The patient, a female who resides in George Town, reported an onset of symptoms on 10 July 2016. She visited a private medical office on 12 July, 2016, and was referred to Cayman Islands Hospital where a sample was taken and sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing. No travel history has been noted for this individual to any of the countries where there is an outbreak, thus suggesting Zika was acquired locally.
This means that as of today(Tuesday, 9 August 2016), the Cayman Islands now has eight (8) confirmed Zika virus cases, six (6) of these imported and two (2) locally acquired.
For more advice on mosquito control, contact MRCU on 949-2557 in Grand Cayman, or 948-2223 on Cayman Brac; and DEH on 949-6696 in Grand Cayman, or 948-2321 in Cayman Brac.
For further information on Zika, please contact the Public Health Department at 244-2648 or 244-2621.
