Suriname records first cases of Zika virus in Caricom

Last Updated on Friday, 13 November 2015, 1:17 by GxMedia

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on Monday confirmed five case of Zika virus in a territory of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

CARPHA did not name the country but other news reports, including statements by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have identified Suriname as the country. On 2 November 2015, the National IHR Focal Point of Suriname notified PAHO/WHO of 2 autochthonous cases of Zika virus infection. Preliminary laboratory testing was conducted at the Academic Hospital Paramaribo.

Earlier this year, suspected cases of the mosquito-borne disease were reported in Brazil and the Dominican Republic.

Zika is a viral disease, transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is also the insect vector for dengue and chikungunya.

The symptoms are also very similar to these diseases and include fever, muscle and joint pain, headache, nausea, and rash. There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika and symptoms last approximately four to seven days. Complications are rare and no deaths due to Zika have ever been recorded.

This is the first time Zika has been detected in a CARICOM territory. CARPHA executive director, Dr James Hospedales, emphasized that prevention and control are fundamental in order to prevent transmission of the virus. 

He said “The best way to protect yourself from this disease is to avoid mosquito bites and to prevent mosquitoes breeding in and around your home environment.”

In this regard, CARPHA is urging the public to inspect their homes and yards weekly, and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites indoors and outdoors by keeping water drums and barrels tightly covered, and throwing out stagnant water from flower vases, old tyres, and other containers that might act as breeding sites. 

Hospedales revealed that CARPHA will launch a mobile game called Zap-a-‘quito, to assist in educating the public, particularly children, on the Aedes aegypti mosquito and its potential breeding sites, at a vector-borne diseases workshop, which will hosted by CARPHA next month