Reactive NDP Gov’t begins fogging operations in CGB
In was in February of this year this news site reported that as most countries in the Caribbean, including the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), were taking proactive measures against the potential threat of the Zika virus, the Virgin Islands Government had shown no real sense of urgency, compared to what other countries were doing.
In fact, there had been no fogging exercises ever since the virus had created global concern and with infection being reported as near as Martinique, Puerto and the US Virgin Islands.
The governor of Puerto Rico had earlier in the year declared a public health emergency over Zika after some 19 confirmed cases.
No fuel, no fogging
This news site was told by the Environmental Health Department on Tuesday February 4, 2016 that fogging exercises were being hampered by shortage of fuel.
“I can inform you that fogging will resume shortly. We are waiting for the budget to pass because obviously to resume fogging we have to get fuel as we cannot operate without fuel. So as soon as that is underway we will be fogging the area. We are working diligently behind the scenes, don’t worry,” an official from the Department said.
To late shall be the cry?
Persons have criticised the Government on social network of putting persons’ health at risk by not being proactive against Zika virus.
One of the excuses constantly being given by health officials is that fogging only kills the adult mosquitos and not the larvae.
And after frequent reports, including on social media, that persons had contracted the Zika virus in the territory, the Ministry of Health and Social Development confirmed five cases of the Zika virus in the Virgin Islands on August 4, 2016.
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 on 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.”
Meanwhile, fogging exercises commenced in Cane Garden Bay this morning August 27 and resumes on Monday August 29, 2016 at 5:30 A.M.
Persons with respiratory illnesses, particularly asthmatics, are advised to vacate fogged areas for at least one hour.
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.
Zika virus symptoms
Symptoms of Zika include rash, joint-pain, fever and an eye infection known as conjunctivitis or pink eye.
Most alarming is that the infection has been linked to cases of microcephaly, in which babies are born with underdeveloped brains.
Some countries where Zika has been confirmed have even advised women to delay their pregnancy.
The virus was recently found to be spread by sexual intercourse and saliva.
New Zika research released on Friday August 26, 2016 has found that the virus may spread sexually from a man to a woman even if the man had no symptoms of Zika infection.
The finding came from a report in Maryland where a man who was infected with Zika in the Dominican Republic but had no symptoms infected his female partner who had not traveled to a place where Zika is being transmitted.
Men diagnosed with Zika should wait at least six months before attempting to have a child, and women with a Zika diagnosis should wait at least eight weeks, according to the Maryland study, published in the weekly report on death of disease by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Guillain-Barré syndrome
Separately, health officials in Puerto Rico have reported as many as 10 people who developed the paralyzing neurological disorder known as Guillain-Barré syndrome as a result of Zika infections.
Guillain-Barré is an autoimmune disorder which causes gradual weakness in the legs, arms and upper body, and in some cases, temporary paralysis. The body attacks itself in the aftermath of an infection, typically occurring in the days following an illness.
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23 Responses to “Reactive NDP Gov’t begins fogging operations in CGB”
Fogging with no trimming of grass can be considered futile in some cases.
Let's get about the cleaning of our environment to safeguard our lives.