Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

First case of Zika virus confirmed on St Croix, USVI

Officials from the USVI Department of Health confirmed this morning, January 22, 2016 the first case of the Zika virus — a tropical disease that may lead to babies being born with abnormally small heads — on St Croix, US Virgin Islands. Photo: VIC
VI CONSORTIUM

FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI - Officials from the USVI Department of Health confirmed this morning, January 22, 2016 the first case of the Zika virus — a tropical disease that may lead to babies being born with abnormally small heads — on St Croix, US Virgin Islands.

A press conference was held at twelve noon today at the Charles Harwood Memorial Hospital, where Dr Esther Ellis, territorial epidemiologist, spoke on DOH’s plans to contain the disease, and prevention measures residents should take.

According to DOH, the person infected, is a 42-year-old woman with no history of previous travel during the incubation period of the virus.

Zika virus, originally identified in 1947 from Zika forest of Uganda, is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. These mosquitoes are found throughout tropical regions of the world and are the same mosquitoes that spread dengue and Chikungunya viruses. Mosquitoes become infected with the Zika virus when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites, and there is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika virus infection.

The CDC has issued a travel notice advising people traveling to the territory and Puerto Rico to take usual precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites to reduce their risk of infection with Zika virus and other mosquito-borne viruses, such as dengue and Chikungunya, according to the release. These steps include wearing insect repellent, using air conditioning or window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside, wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts when possible, and emptying standing water inside and outside the home.

Outbreaks of Zika have occurred in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Because the Aedes species mosquitoes that spread Zika virus are found throughout the world, it is likely that outbreaks will spread to new countries. To date, Zika virus has been reported in several countries and territories in the Americas. But in 2015 the disease made the leap to the Western Hemisphere, affecting more than a million people in Brazil. It’s since spread to Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, and nine other countries, according to VOX Media. Brazil is also investigating the possible association between Zika virus infection and cases of microcephaly (smaller than expected head size) in infants.

The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Infection is thought to provide lifelong immunity. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon. Deaths are rare. Travelers returning from areas with Zika activity should seek medical care if they experience a fever and symptoms of infection. Healthcare providers in areas with reported cases should be on the alert for possible cases.

11 Responses to “First case of Zika virus confirmed on St Croix, USVI”

  • dog (22/01/2016, 17:28) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is too close to home!
  • weed (22/01/2016, 19:45) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    A possible first case of Zika is a cause for panic? I can't help but wonder how you people would have fared during the siege of Leningrad.
  • wize up (23/01/2016, 05:49) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    is the health care system in the territory ready!
  • bvi (24/01/2016, 19:48) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Take away their green cards with hopes of them not reaching the BVI. I mean really the bugs are traveling. Geeze man its a matter of time when they will reach. What needs to be done is the readiness of the BVI. Fogging, Fine for open containers of water for those who do not take action. Government throw oil in the catchments in the ghuts. Agriculture check for incoming fruits and spray down ships and planes etc... . ACT NOW
  • Joyce Benson (27/02/2016, 19:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Am Joyce Benson, I was diagnosed of Zika virus in 2016 and I have tried all possible means to get cure but all to no avail, so luckily one day as i was browsing through the Internet searching for remedy on Zika virus, and i saw comment of people talking about how Doctor Ekpiku cured them,so I contacted him base on the testimonies I’m seeing about him on the internet, I was cured too by him, kindly contact him today through his email he can help you.. Ekpikuspellhomeofgrace@hotmail.com and so he can cure types of diseases like,HEPATITIS B,DIABETICS,CANCER,HERPES,LOW SPERM CAM,HIV .. all thank to you Dr Ekpiku for your kindly help in my life.
  • richaed (31/08/2020, 18:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i have been suffering from a deadly disease (Hsv) for the past 3 years now, I had spent a lIot of money going from one places to another, from churches to churches, hospitals have been my home every day residence. Constant checks up have been my hobby not until this faithful day, I was searching through the internet, I saw a testimony on how Dr Onokun helped someone in curing his (Hsv) herpes disease, quickly I copied his email which is Dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com just to give him a test I spoke to him, he asked me to do some certain things which I did, he told me that he is going to provide the herbal cure to me, which he did, then he asked me to go for medical checkup after some days after using the herbal cure, behold I was free from the deadly disease, he only asked me to post the testimony through the whole world, faithfully am doing it now, please brothers and sisters, he is great, I owe him in return. if you are having a similar problem just email him on : Dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.