The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

AS concerns mount over the explosive spread of the Zika virus in the region and the potential impact on the local populace and tourism industry, Ministry of Tourism officials have assured the public that they are being proactive.

There are no confirmed cases of the illness in The Bahamas.

“Tourism industry stakeholders recognise the importance of being proactive; educating the public and potential visitors about the virus and the proposed measures to help moderate the spread of the virus,” a statement from the ministry said.

“The Communications Department of the Ministry of Tourism will prepare brochures outlining preventative measures as well as symptoms and treatment. The Department of Environmental Health has launched an intensified fogging programme in New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands to prevent the spread of the Zika virus. The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) is also putting measures in place to ensure that visitors are protected,” the ministry added.

A week ago, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global emergency over the virus, which has been linked to microcephaly, a congenital condition in which babies are born with abnormally small heads. The condition causes severe developmental issues and sometimes death.

The virus has spread to at least 26 countries in the Americas, according to the Pan American Health Organisation’s (PAHO) website, including Haiti and some US states.

The Zika virus is transmitted when an Aedes aegypti mosquito bites a person with an active infection then spreads the illness by biting others.

According to the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC), common symptoms of the virus are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe symptoms requiring hospitalisation is uncommon, the CDC has said.

There is no known vaccine or specific drug for the virus, according to PAHO.

Proactive measures that have been implemented by tourism stakeholders include providing information on the virus to staff and guests.

Visitors are also being given insect repellent during their stay.

The ministry is also “avoiding the storage of water in outdoor containers to prevent them from becoming mosquito breeding sites, covering water tanks or reservoirs so that mosquitoes do not get in and avoiding the build-up of garbage, which can act as a breeding site for mosquitoes.”

Visitors have been advised to keep updates about the situation in countries they are travelling to and to use insect repellent and wear long sleeve clothing to minimize exposure of the skin.

“When indoors use air conditioning and keep the doors and windows closed, unless they are screened, to keep out mosquitoes. If this is not possible, sleep under mosquito nets to prevent bites,” the ministry has advised.

Persons feeling ill are encouraged to consult with a physician while getting rest and drinking lots of liquids to remain hydrated.

Director of Environmental Health Melanie McKenzie told The Tribune last week that the DEHS will concentrate fogging efforts on three localities in New Providence: Coral Harbour Road, JFK Drive, Harrold Road, Blue Hill Road (locality six); Nassau Street, Bay Street, Village Road, Wulff Road (locality nine); Blue Hill Road, Wulff Road, Bernard Road, Fox Hill Road south (locality 10).