From Chikungunya to Zika! Jamaicans Warned About New Mosquito-Borne Virus

May 19, 2015May 19, 2015 JA-Blogz News Team

To say the dreadful chikungunya virus wreaked havoc in Jamaica and many other countries in the region last year would perhaps be an understatement.

Now the country is being warned to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of another mosquito-borne virus to the island following an outbreak in Brazil.

The Zika virus, first discovered in 1947 causes a disease known as Zika fever in humans.

Some of the symptoms of Zika virus infection include, a low grade fever, rash, arthralgia, notably of small joints of hands and feet, with possible swollen joints, myalgia (pain in a muscle or group of muscles), and headache.

Symptoms usually appear following the incubation period of three to 12 days. The symptoms typically last for four to seven days.

Like Chik-V, there is no specific vaccine or treatment fr the Zika virus.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Kevin Harvey who is currently at the World Health Assembly in, Switzerland said:

“The Aedes aegypti mosquito which spreads the zika virus is generally found in and around places where people inhabit. Persons are urged to search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites by getting rid of old tyres and containers in which water can settle, punching holes in tins before disposing, and covering large drums, barrels and tanks holding water.”

“The Ministry of Health is taking this potential threat very seriously. I urge Jamaicans to do their part to prevent mosquito breeding and so help to reduce any possibility of the introduction of the zika virus into the island.”