Pregnant woman among new cases of confirmed Zika virus infection

One pregnant woman is among the 20 new laboratory confirmed cases of the Zika virus infection in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, in a release issued yesterday, said the new cases came from samples collected between May 23 and June 6.

These recent cases have increased the overall number of laboratory confirmed cases to a total of 28.{{more}}

To date, 108 serum samples have been sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for Zika testing. Fifteen of the most recent confirmed cases have come from Bequia, one each from Lodge Village, Indian Bay and Layou and two of unknown addresses.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment has implemented the necessary care and monitoring of the pregnant patient and her unborn baby.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment has even further intensified ongoing efforts and will continue to focus surveillance and response activities on addressing the rising number of cases. This was indeed anticipated, given the onset of the rainy season.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment urges the general public to continue to take the necessary steps to protect themselves.

The aedes mosquito transmits the Zika virus and lives in and around houses and reproduces in any object containing still water. The incubation period is 7 to 10 days, and once hatched, the insect can live up to six weeks. Prevention requires persons being aware of individual environmental responsibility by turning over drums, screening water tanks, protecting tires, securing septic tanks and generally keeping the environment clean.

The chief medical officer Dr Simone Keizer-Beache reiterates that it is critical that citizens continue to take all measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites and that they work feverishly towards source reduction, which is critical in the fight against Zika.