A section of the advisory issued by the Embassy/Consulate in Barbados. Photo: Provided

Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Ronnie W. Skelton has told the Virgin Islands there is no cause for undue alarm in the wake of Zika virus being confirmed in the territory. Photo: VINO/File

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has issued a travel advisory for the Virgin Islands following confirm of Zika in the territory. Photo: CDC

Fogging operations in Cane Garden Bay on August 27, 2016. Photo: VINO

In the message, which is being circulated via social media and available on the CDC website, persons are being told that local mosquito transmission of Zika virus infection has been reported in the [British] Virgin Islands.

“Local mosquito transmission means that mosquitoes in the area are infected with Zika virus and are spreading it to people. Because Zika virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes, CDC recommends that travelers to the British Virgin Islands protect themselves from mosquito bites.”

Word reaching this news site is that the Embassy/Consulate in Barbados is informing US citizens about the notice issued by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

“CDC recommends that women who are pregnant should not travel to areas that are at elevations less than 2,000m above sea level in countries with ongoing Zika virus transmission,” states the advisory.

Five cases of the Zika virus have been confirmed so far in Cane Garden Bay and Havers, Tortola.

‘No cause for undue alarm’

Hon Skelton, in a press release yesterday August 30, 2016, told the territory that there is no cause for undue alarm.

“The recent announcement of five laboratory confirmed cases of the Zika virus has understandably given rise to some concerns, but there is no cause for undue alarm,” said Minister Skelton.

However, what has been troubling residents is the fact that for over two months several persons have been calling on government, via social media, to take pro-active measures to safeguard the territory.

It was only last week that the Environmental Health Department commenced activities of fogging and is now stepping up the educational campaigns.

Confirming resident’s contention of the presence of the virus in the territory, Mr Skelton also said in his statement that his Ministry has been monitoring the virus since it first entered the Caribbean region in 2015. He was confident that the virus would have reached the VI because it was found to be present in St. Maarten, Puerto Rico and the neighbouring US Virgin Islands.

Speaking with this news site, a resident said that he fears that they are much more than five cases in the Virgin Islands. “From the time they suspected those persons who had the symptoms they should have been fogging, not now after they confirmed. Too late, too late that’s their cry.”

Statement by Minister for Health Hon Ronnie W. Skelton on Zika Virus

"My fellow residents of and visitors to the Virgin Islands, the recent announcement of five laboratory confirmed cases of the Zika Virus has understandably given rise to some concerns, but there is no cause for undue alarm. We have been monitoring the spread of this mosquito-borne virus across the Americas and the Caribbean region since local transmission was first reported in Brazil in May 2015. When local transmission was later detected in St Maarten, Puerto Rico, and the neighbouring US Virgin Islands, we anticipated that it would not be long before the virus reached the shores of the BVI.

The Ministry of Health, working with other partners, continues to make every effort to prevent and minimize the impact of Zika and other mosquito-borne viruses such as Dengue and Chikungunya.  We do this by promoting the most effective means of prevention: elimination of mosquito breeding sites, and personal protection.

For most persons the symptoms of Zika will be a mild fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes, muscle pain and headache, and they will not be sick enough to be hospitalized.  In fact only one in five persons infected will actually have any symptoms at all.

Unlike Chikungunya and Dengue, Zika can be transmitted through sexual contact, and from a pregnant woman to her unborn child.  Infection during pregnancy has been linked to a specific birth defect known as microcephaly in a very small number of cases. There is presently no intervention to counter the passage of the virus from an infected mother to unborn child in those infrequent cases. However, doctors in the BVI have received clinical guidance to monitor all pregnant women, and to provide supportive care throughout the pregnancy in order to ensure the best possible outcome.

Zika has also been linked to a rare self-limiting condition known as Guillian Barre Syndrome.  Additional stocks of the drug required to treat this serious condition are being stocked at Peebles Hospital in the unlikely event that it becomes necessary. With PAHO’s assistance, a Doctor of Internal Medicine is also receiving special training in the management of neurological complications related with Zika virus infection.

Fellow residents and visitors, if you experience any of the symptoms of Zika you are encouraged to see a doctor. It is especially important to let your doctor know if you are pregnant, and to follow your doctor’s advice.

To prevent Zika infection, protect yourself from mosquito bites, and if you are already infected please avoid being bitten and protect your sexual partner by using condoms or other barriers.

I also encourage everyone to take responsibility for reducing the mosquito population by eliminating mosquito breeding sites. Every one of us can do our part to keep our immediate surroundings clean and free from containers and other waste items that can collect water. This includes properly disposing of derelict vehicles and covering exposed water catchments, such as cistern overflow pipes and storage tanks, with wire mesh. If you need assistance, please contact the Environmental Health Division at 468-5110.

As a result of ongoing efforts, the mosquito population in the Territory has remained at a very low index in recent months.  The Ministry of Health through its Waste Management Department and Environmental Health Division will continue its clean-up efforts, fogging programme, chemical treatment of larger water catchments, inspection of premises, and assistance to households. I commend the many volunteers who have come forward and are helping to mobilise their communities. If we all do our part, we can successfully reduce the impact of Zika and other mosquito-borne viruses on the population.

As Minister for Health and Social Development I implore every resident of and visitors to these beautiful Virgin Islands to join together in this important mission.

Thank you for your support, and may Jehovah continue to bless, guide and protect us."