Zika Virus detected in Guyana

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – The first case of the Zika Virus has been detected in Guyana.

This was disclosed by Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton on Thursday as he addressed the National Assembly.

Norton says the virus was detected by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago.

He said CARPHA detected the presence of the virus in a sample of blood taken from a 27-year-old female.

On Thursday, Haiti also confirmed the presence of the virus.

The local transmission of Zika virus has now been found in 15 Western Hemisphere countries and territories, including Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guyana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito that transports the virus is found throughout the region, except in continental Chile and Canada, PAHO said it is likely that outbreaks will occur in other countries that have not yet reported any cases.

Zika is a mosquito-borne viral disease , the symptoms include consisting of mild fever, rash, headaches, and non-purulent conjunctivitis, occurring about three to 12 days after the mosquito’s bite. Its clinical manifestation is often similar to dengue, also a mosquito-borne illness.

The health minister also disclosed that there has been a four-fold increase of gastroenteritis in the community of Baramita to the northwest of here.

The outbreak has so far led to one death. Last week the Government Information Service (GINA) on Friday reported that some residents are reportedly reluctant to use treated water or take the full course of medication.

credit: jamaica obsever