UPDATE: No confirmed cases of Zika in VI- Ronald E. Georges
In a press release issued today, July 26, 2016, Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ronald E. Georges, said that since the concerns surrounding Zika started there have been 14 persons who have fit the case definition for Zika and they have all tested negative.
“Recently we tested an individual who was in close proximity with two known positive cases from another territory and that individual tested negative,” Dr Georges confirmed.
According to the Medical Officer, Zika testing is done in collaboration with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and only samples that meet the case definition are tested. “We are only able to test persons who were in contact with known cases, who meet the case definition for Zika and those who present a rash with no associated fever,” Dr Georges said.
“Zika is a disease that doesn’t present symptoms in some individuals, which often goes unnoticed and the body's immune system often fights the infection. It is imperative that the residents of the BVI take the proper precautions to reduce mosquito breeding in and around their properties to lower their vulnerability to this and other vector borne illnesses,” Dr Georges further advised in the press release.
Residents are reminded to “Fight the Bite, Destroy Mosquito Breeding Sites” by conducting weekly surveillance activities around their premises. Unusable containers and garbage are to be disposed of on a regular basis, and blocked drains where water could settle are to be opened. Persons are also encouraged to properly scrub the sides of containers to destroy mosquito eggs, keep the yard clean and clear of weeds, and keep containers not being used faced down.
See previous article published July 25, 2016
Has the Zika virus reached the VI? Is there a cover up?
There have been conflicting reports as to whether the Zika virus has hit the Virgin Islands (VI).
The Zika virus is already in our neighboring USVI with some 47 cases reported so far, 15 of which were new cases reported over a week ago.
The increase sees most cases affecting St Thomas, as the island’s count (29) has drastically overtaken that of St Croix (18 cases).
However, officially in the VI there have been no cases reported or confirmed, according to medical authorities.
Dr Ronald E. Georges, Health Disaster Coordinator, speaking briefing to our newsroom on Friday July 22, 2016 said as of today there are no reported cases of Zika but promised to update us today, Monday July 25, 2016.
However, another doctor speaking on condition of anonymity said he is aware that someone traveled from another country to the VI where they exhibited symptoms of the Zika virus so it is fair to say, unofficially, it is here.
However, he refused to provide any further details.
Virgin Islands News Online sought to get information from officials of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), however, its Marketing and Communications Manager, Franka Potter said the Ministry of Health's Surveillance Unit “is responsible for the releasing of information of that nature.”
The Unit’s information officer, Adrianna J. Soverall could not be reached up to time of publication.
Calls were also made to private medical facilities, including B&F Medical, however, owner Alred C. Frett declined to give any comment.
Efforts to reach Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Ronnie W. Skelton and officials of the Environmental Health Division were not successful.
What is Zika?
Zika is spread primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected or may be infected and have no symptoms. Zika can also be spread sexually.
The World Health Organisation has urged pregnant women against travel to more than 45 countries in which the Zika virus is spreading, mostly in the Caribbean and Latin America. All pregnant women who have been to these regions should be tested for the infection, health officials have said, and should refrain from unprotected sex with partners who have visited these regions.
The Zika virus has been linked to unusually small heads and brain damage in newborns — called microcephaly — in children born to infected mothers, as well as blindness, deafness, seizures and other congenital defects. In adults, the virus is linked to a form of temporary paralysis, called Guillain-Barré syndrome.
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20 Responses to “UPDATE: No confirmed cases of Zika in VI- Ronald E. Georges”
Another thing for some governments, visitor arrivals numbers take priority over the health of their people
The fact that an individual visited the BVI does not necessarily mean that he contracted the virus here. Furthermore, Texas is not Zika free zone.
Did he travel on a non-stop flight to and from the BVI?