16-year old Eccles lad is Guyana’s second Zika victim

A 16-year-old lad from Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) has been confirmed as Guyana's second case of the Zika virus.

This was confirmed by Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton who said he lad was one of 88 persons tested for the virus recently.

He said "the last batch was received on Friday and unfortunately one was positive." Tests are done at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago and take seven days.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Shamadeo Persaud detailed that the young man had visited the interior more than a month prior to him displaying any symptoms.

He conveyed too that already officials are conducting surveillance on the family of the young man. This includes checks at areas which the lad frequented such as after school lessons.

The CMO indicated too that the patient has fully recovered and is back at school following treatment.

The Ministry is now placing heavy emphasis on the East Bank corridor in its campaign against the Zika virus. Plans are in place to intensify fogging activities along the corridor.

The first Zika case in Guyana was that of a young lady from Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara.