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Potential Zika cases investigated in Stann Creek and Toledo

By on May 5, 2016
Zika mosquito

Zika mosquito

Belmopan, CAYO. Thursday, May 5, 2016. Belize is still technically free of the viral disease known as Zika.

But an official update issued this evening by the Ministry of Health seems to indicate that it is now just a matter of time before that designation will change.

According to the official press release, the Ministry of Health this past weekend conducted a field investigation based on the reported case of Zika by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and based on the provisional data they provided.

The release goes on to say that the field investigation revealed two local potential cases, one in the Stann Creek District and the other in the Toledo District.

A person of interest was also identified from the Cayo District.

Samples were taken from the persons in the southern districts and were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency, CARPHA today for testing.

Zika mosquito

Zika mosquito

Until those test results come back, the local Ministry of Health will continue its investigation into these potential cases in order to determine the potential source or sources.

The Ministry of Health’s press release stresses that although new and compelling factors may indicate the presence of Zika, the Ministry is still not able to declare that there is a first local transmission case of Zika in Belize.

All Regional Health Management teams have been debriefed and the Zika plan for Belize continues to be implemented and is now moving into a new phase as the Ministry continues to learn more of the situation.

The Ministry continues to implore the community to take measures to minimize the breeding sites and population of mosquitoes that primarily transmit the disease.

Pregnant women and women considering getting pregnant are especially asked to take precautions and try to avoid mosquito bites.

Pregnant women are also encouraged to attend regular prenatal clinics in order to monitor their health and their baby’s development.

The investigating team includes persons from the Vector Control Unit, Public Health and Epidemiology Departments.

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