The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Health officials said on Thursday that the public has the biggest role to play in combatting the threat of the Zika virus in the Bahamas

Health officials are recommending that residents take necessary measures to eliminate any potential breeding ground for mosquitoes in and around their homes.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday held an emergency conference to discuss the “explosive” spread of the Zika virus in the Americas in recent weeks.

Local Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO)/WHO representative, Dr Gerry Eijkemans, disclosed that the rapid spread of the virus comes as a result of the lack of immunity among the population in the Americas and the proliferation of the Aedes mosquitoes in all of the region's countries except Canada and continental Chile.

PAHO anticipates that the Zika virus will continue to spread and will likely reach all countries and territories of the region where the Aedes mosquitoes are found.

Since May 2015, PAHO has issued monthly epidemiological alerts advising countries what to do if they have Zika cases, and how to monitor and prepare for its eventual arrival.

According to Dr Eijkemans, the Bahamas has a window of opportunity to keep the Zika virus at bay by scaling up vector control measures.

She pledged that the local PAHO/WHO office will assist in the strengthening of vector control, communicating the risks of Zika and promote prevention and establishing and improving surveillance of both the Zika virus infections and suspected complications, such as microcephaly, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and other autoimmune and neurological disorders, and also other similar diseases such as dengue and chikungunya.

National Health officials advise the public to:

Get rid of standing water in or around their home - old tyres, buckets, plastic covers or toys or any other container where mosquitoes can breed or make a habitat.

People visiting areas with Aedes mosquitoes should protect themselves from mosquito bites by using insect repellent; wearing clothes (preferably light-coloured) that cover as much of the body as possible; using physical barriers such as screens, closed doors and windows.

Pregnant women should be especially careful to avoid mosquito bites. Although Zika typically causes only mild symptoms, outbreaks in Brazil have coincided with a marked increase in microcephaly - or unusually small head size - in newborns. Women planning to travel to areas where Zika is circulating should consult a healthcare provider before traveling and upon return.

People that want more information about the Zika virus or believe that they have been exposed to the virus are to call Department of Public Health hotlines 502-4790 and 502-4776 (9am to 5pm). After hours call 376-4705 or 376-3970.