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5 cases of Zika virus confirmed in VI

Five cases of the mosquito borne Zika virus have been confirmed in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source
Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ronald E. Georges said Public Heath has been coordinating very closely with the Environmental Health Division to address the 'hot zones' for inspection and mitigation to minimise the impact of Zika. Photo: VINO/File
Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ronald E. Georges said Public Heath has been coordinating very closely with the Environmental Health Division to address the 'hot zones' for inspection and mitigation to minimise the impact of Zika. Photo: VINO/File
The Zika virus cases were contracted in the Cane Garden Bay (in photo) and Havers areas of Tortola. Photo: VINO/File
The Zika virus cases were contracted in the Cane Garden Bay (in photo) and Havers areas of Tortola. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- On the heels of frequent reports, including on social media, that persons had contracted the Zika virus in the territory, the Ministry of Health and Social Development has confirmed five cases of the Zika virus in the Virgin Islands.

Three of the cases were said to have been tested locally and found to be positive and two cases were tested overseas and found to be positive as well. The cases were contracted in the Cane Garden Bay and Havers areas of Tortola.

Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ronald E. Georges, in a press release issued by the Department of Information this afternoon, August 24, 2016 stated that with “our neighbouring islands contracting the virus, it was only a matter of time for the Territory to confirm cases.”

Following a story published by this news site on Monday July 25, 2016 that there have been unconfirmed reports of persons with Zika virus in the Virgin Islands, the Ministry of Health and Social Development had responded by “reassuring” the community that there were no confirmed cases of Zika in the territory.

Since then persons had reported on social media that they had contracted the virus in the VI or knew of someone who had been diagnosed with Zika virus.

Symptoms

Meanwhile, Dr Georges explained that the Zika virus causes symptoms similar to chikungunya and dengue fever which lasts two to seven days. He explained that some persons may show no signs while 20 percent of persons who contract the virus may be symptomatic.

Symptoms include rash, joint-pain, fever and an eye infection known as conjunctivitis or pink eye.

Additionally, Dr Georges said that Public Heath has been coordinating very closely with the Environmental Health Division to address the 'hot zones' for inspection and mitigation to minimise the impact of Zika.

Residents are also urged to be vigilant in inspecting their premises for breeding sites and taking corrective action. This includes covering cistern openings and water catchments, and properly disposing of disused containers, tyres or other potential water catchments.

27 Responses to “5 cases of Zika virus confirmed in VI”

  • what a ting! (24/08/2016, 18:38) Like (12) Dislike (11) Reply
    Our economy really dead now!
    • Emancipate yourself from mental slavery (24/08/2016, 23:57) Like (18) Dislike (16) Reply
      Ayo bring beenie man here. With that zika virus now look what happen strupppppeeeesss
  • cay (24/08/2016, 18:54) Like (17) Dislike (8) Reply
    Always a cover up with this dam ndp
  • Antarctica (24/08/2016, 20:33) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I going Antarctica to get a whoman now
  • beenie man (24/08/2016, 21:00) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
    which minister allowed him to enter the country?
  • belonger (24/08/2016, 21:08) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Only 5? R u wait late. Dont be surprize if is 25 nx week.
  • where is the chinese minister? (24/08/2016, 21:09) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    School children say that he is busy odering stuff from MADEINCHINA.COM
  • Nobody (24/08/2016, 21:26) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    With zika all around what makes us so immune yet you misinform and endanger our families and our pregnant women and not to mention a rise in guillain barre...how dare you!
    • be careful (24/08/2016, 22:57) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Guillain Barre Syndrome is one of the ways Zika virus manifests itself in adults. This condition has already shown up in some neighbouring Caribbean islands and although it cannot be transmitted from person to person, its harmful effects on some persons can be significant and potentially deadly in a few cases.


  • egg face (24/08/2016, 23:16) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    we can never trust anything coming out of this government even this they tried to cover up
  • Man made evils (24/08/2016, 23:42) Like (18) Dislike (13) Reply
    They created this disease to hurt Brazil and hoping the Olympic would move. Same thing they did with Ebola and HIV wanted to eliminate Africans but it's returning rite in to their houses. Set of Evil Devilish scientist and government. They don't believe in God. Thats why God bring their own evil iback n to their homes..
  • Get rich or die trying (25/08/2016, 07:06) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
    Myron walwyn i blame uuuuiuuuiuuuuu. Fraser couldnt speak at our emancipation. Celebration but u bring beenie here full of zika
    • i think he should step down before we vote he out (25/08/2016, 09:04) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
      He allowed a zika infected man on our stage rather than the leader of the opposition.
  • Tupee (25/08/2016, 07:55) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lordy. Ran be with us. We in big trouble. It's just not posssible!
  • Zika and More (25/08/2016, 07:59) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Prevention of Zika and more start with us. Most of us dont even bother about our environs but just sleep eat and $hit. Some of us dont even give a hint if we have a leak in the home, if our cisterns are clean, our surrounding are immaculately clean,etc. Beenie may have had his ZIKa while there but zika is in the island long before he came.The same mosquito genes of yellow fever, chikingunya,etc are still around so what do we expect. The tropical storms or the showers that we frequently encountered or enjoyed come with a lot of things way after.We have to also be our brother's/neighbour's keeper, yes we have to look out for others too. Dont be afraid to say: Neabes, you flower pots have in tadpoles/baby mosquitoes or you need to get rid of those buckets of water at the back standing there for over weeks now, etc.Remember cleanliness is next to Godliness.If you are to now look around it seems as Zika is another STD also as it can be contracted sexually. These are really the last days let us prepare to meet our Maker.
  • wize up (25/08/2016, 08:37) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I still think the leaders of this territory need to spend more time on domestic affairs: yesterday day my village was littered with environmental help officers, check cistern covers and other items that could breed mosquitos and I now see why....I have never soon so many enveromental help people one place in many many years:
  • Nothing new (25/08/2016, 09:12) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    As the wise Bunny Wailer quoted (from the bible of course), "nothing is new, under the sun...all has been here since time begun". I agree with the brother but up to a point. What is not new, is extreme wickedness.

    The conditions necessary for these two diseases (ebola and now zika) to evolve and develop naturally existed for a very long time. So with the uncensored internet (at least I think it is uncensored), how could these two diseases just appear out of thin air and in such an advanced life-threatening state?
  • Nika news (25/08/2016, 10:56) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Its a damn virus that was bound to get here sooner or later. so what is all the noise about. Spraying should have started long time. People please if you have not been tested don't go on bvi community board spreading that you have Zika. Like the one person commented it starts with us. If you have still standing water around your house it's a haven for mosquitoes. I spray my house every night when I get home. I guess you all waiting for government to come and do it.
  • Windy (25/08/2016, 13:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's been here for months. Maybe one can slip over to USVI get some help ? http://stcroixsource.com/content/news/local-news/2016/08/25/zika-update-50-new-cases-reported-health-plans-action-day
  • Dandy (25/08/2016, 16:30) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    NDP Zika-gate
  • saying (25/08/2016, 18:26) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Aryo stop talking and pray for Tortola no man please. Come on people only God can help this place to much going on in this place,
  • Advice (28/08/2016, 18:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Clean up your yards. Zika just another branch of dengue which has been around for years. Don't blame one person. Are you kidding?


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