By Staff Writer
Three cases of the Zika Virus have been confirmed in the Federation and Minister of Health The Hon. Eugene Hamilton is calling on citizens to lessen its impact by helping stop the virus from spreading.
The Zika Virus, known to cause microcephaly in babies, conjunctivitis and joint pain in adults, has reportedly been in the region for some time. Local health and environmental officials were working overtime to prevent it from spreading to St. Kitts and Nevis through home and community visits to eradicate nesting sites.
However, a recent media statementby the Minister of Health and newly appointed Chief Medical Officer Hazel Lewis confirmed that samples sent for testing returned positive results for Zika Virus in three persons.
Mr. Hamilton told The Observer Wednesday, Sept. 21 at the launching of the Sugar Festival and Exhibition that the only way to stop the virus from spreading and even becoming an epidemic like that of Chickungunya is to get rid of the breeding sites. He called on the public to assist health authorities and the government in the battle against the virus.
‘We at the Ministry can only do promotions and send our health inspectors into areas to identify and talk with people to do certain things,” he said. ‘But it sstill comes down to individuals who in their own home might have stagnant water that attracts the mosquitoes and gives them the opportunity to breath..” It is only with the help of the people that the virus can be totally eradicated, he said.
The Federation was forced to deal with the Chickungunya Virus in 2013 and 32014 when it affected over half of the Federation’s population, he added. He is hopeful that the current situation does not turn into an epidemic and pointed out that thevirus goes through a season and then it disappears.
The Aedes Agepti Mosquito which spreads the virus flies during the dawn and dusk hours, the high point for mosquito bites. The Minister said people should take precautions by wearing long sleeves and bright colored clothing when leaving their homes or businesses. More than 12,000 cases of the virus have been confirmed in the region and 20 different countries have reported cases of the Zika Virus.
