The first two cases of local transmission of the zika virus in the Cayman Islands have been confirmed by acting medical officer of health Dr Samuel Williams-Rodriguez.
In the first such case reported on Monday, a local man reported the onset of symptoms on 25 July and he visited a private physician on 26 July. He was referred to the Cayman Islands Hospital, where a sample was taken and sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing. With no travel history to any of the countries where there is an outbreak, officials said this suggests he acquired the virus locally.
In the second case reported on Tuesday, a female reported an onset of symptoms on 10 July 2016. She visited a private medical office on 12 July and was referred to the Cayman Islands Hospital where a sample was taken and sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing. No travel history has been noted for this individual to any of the countries where there is an outbreak, thus also suggesting zika was acquired locally.
“With the rapid and ongoing transmission of the zika virus around the world, it is not an alarming fact that local transmission has reached our shores,” Williams-Rodriguez said. “However, now that it has, this is even more reason for each and every one to play their part in ensuring that the spread is highly contained.
“While our partners at the Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) continue to do an exemplary job using scientific and evidence based combat measures, simple tasks such as emptying water filled tyres or containers of standing water, and protecting one’s self from being bitten my mosquitoes both locally and during travels will help to keep both imported and locally acquired cases of zika at a minimum when compared to the global and regional situation,” he added.
As of Tuesday, the Cayman Islands now has eight confirmed zika virus cases, six of these imported and two locally acquired. (Caribbean News Now)
