Zika Virus Update as of 4 April, 2016.
The Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, is advising the public that as of Monday 4 April, 2016 there are no reported or confirmed cases of Zika virus in the Cayman Islands.
“Even though the virus continues to spread steadily throughout the region, as at Monday, there are 47 countries reporting active Zika transmission,” said Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez. “The public is being reminded that an abundance of caution is still to be taken in respect to prevention of being bitten by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. That is; reducing or eliminating contact between mosquitoes and people, and control in relation to reducing the breeding of mosquitoes through removal and modification of breeding sites; use of barriers such as repellents containing DEET; use of screens; closing doors and windows and wearing long clothing can always assist in this effort”.
Dr. Williams is also using the opportunity to remind the public that while the Zika Virus is mainly transmitted through Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, other modes of transmission in particular sexual transmission have been documented. Though the numbers are limited at this stage there is strong epidemiological evidence of sexual transmission. “I encourage all men and women returning from where local transmission of Zika virus is known to occur in adopting safer sexual practices or consider abstinence for at least four weeks after return. This is especially true for women who are pregnant. As more information becomes available in respect of Zika virus and sexual transmission, I will endeavour to keep the public informed”.
Meanwhile, the head of the Mosquito Research Control Unit (MRCU), Dr. William Petrie confirmed MRCU is continuing its work on reducing the population of Aedes aegypti. “We are encouraging members of the public to remain vigilant in continuing to check their yards twice per week to remove containers and potential breeding sites of the mosquito. While we may not be experiencing any cases of Zika, we do not want to become complacent,” said Dr. Petrie.
For further information contact the Public Health Department on 244-2621 or the Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) on 949-2557.
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Side Bar:
This table contains information on countries and territories that have recently experienced or are currently experiencing local Zika virus transmission.
| Country/Territory | Affected in the past 2 months | Affected in the past 9 months |
| American Samoa | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Aruba | Sporadic transmission | Yes |
| Barbados | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Bolivia | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Brazil | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Bonaire | Sporadic transmission | Yes |
| Cape Verde | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Colombia | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Cuba | Sporadic transmission | Yes |
| Costa Rica | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Curaçao | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Dominica | Sporadic transmission | Yes |
| Dominican Republic | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Ecuador | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| El Salvador | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Fiji | Sporadic transmission | Yes |
| French Guiana | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Guadeloupe | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Guatemala | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Guyana | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Haiti | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Honduras | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Jamaica | Sporadic transmission | Yes |
| Kosrae | Sporadic transmission | Yes |
| Marshall Islands | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Martinique | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Mexico | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| New Caledonia | Sporadic transmission | Yes |
| Nicaragua | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Panama | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Papua New Guinea | Sporadic transmission | Yes |
| Paraguay | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Philippines | Sporadic transmission | Yes |
| Puerto Rico | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Saint Martin | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Sporadic transmission | Yes |
| Samoa | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Sint Maarten | Sporadic transmission | Yes |
| Solomon Islands | No | Yes |
| Suriname | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Thailand | Sporadic transmission | Yes |
| Tonga | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Vanuatu | No | Yes |
| Venezuela | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
| Viet Nam | Sporadic transmission | Yes |
| US Virgin Islands | Increasing or widespread transmission | Yes |
Source: Updated March 31
Public Health England
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.
Source: Public Health Department.