An alert has been issued by the Pan American Health Organisation for the Caribbean region as a result of cases of the mosquito-borne Zika Virus that have occurred.
The Zika Virus is transmitted by the same Aedes Aegypti mosquito that is also the insect vector for dengue and chikungunya and the symptoms are also very similar. It is also suspected to carry the risk of microcephaly, which causes smaller than expected head sizes to occur in infants of affected mothers.
British Virgin Islands’ Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Ronald Georges, said, “The Zika Virus is now present in the OECS, Martinique and Puerto Rico and considering the volume of travel between the BVI and these islands, there is a need for increased surveillance and heightened awareness of this virus and its impact on human health.”
Read more at: http://caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-Region-warned-to-be-on-alert-for-zika-virus-28856.html