Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Environment, Helen Royer, has dubbed the Zika virus a “regional and international public health issue,” and has said its entry into Dominica is inevitable.
She stated there is no question that the virus will reach Dominica “sooner rather than later” due to tourism and the presence in the country of the mosquito that transmits the disease, the Aedes Egypti.
“The vector of the virus is the Aedes Egypti mosquito, which is present throughout Dominica. This fact, coupled with the travel links with countries already affected, make it inevitable that ZIK-V will reach Dominican shores sooner rather than later,” she stated.
Since the first reported case of Zika in Brazil, in April 2015, the virus has since run rampant throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. According to a recent epidemiological update from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), 24 countries, to date, have confirmed local Zika virus transmission. Among these countries are Dominica’s neighbouring islands, Martinique and Guadeloupe.
With the entry of the disease into Dominica looming, Royer sad the Ministry of Health is prepared to deliver the “best response” when it does arrive.
“Despite our best efforts, however, we cannot prevent the arrival of ZIK-V in Dominica, but we will be prepared, and remain vigilant and proactive to mount our best response when it gets here,” she said. “The Government has given its commitment to the Ministry of Health for the effective implementation of the Zika plan, and as with the case of Chikungunya, we are confident that with your support, we will succeed.”
The Ministry of Health has urged the public to take a “community approach,” to reduce mosquito breeding sites in their surroundings. Further emphasis has been placed on personal protection through the use of bed nets, protective clothing, insecticides, and insect repellents.
Recently, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. David Johnson, described the Zika Virus as a ‘threat’ to Dominica.
On Monday, the World Health Organization said the virus poses a global emergency.(Dominica News Online)
