Announcement

**Pathfinder** · September 6, 2016, 12:17 PM

Government and Private Sector Partner to Fight Zika Virus

Authored by:	Lindsay Thompson
Source:	Bahamas Information Services
Date:	September 6, 2016

NASSAU, The Bahamas ? Stakeholders were brought to the table to assist the Government in its national education effort on the Zika virus disease -- a mosquito-borne illness which is a potential threat to the tourism product. On Monday, the Ministry of Tourism in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and the Department of Environmental Health Services held a Zika Information Session for all Tourism Stakeholders in the Governor?s Ballroom at the British Colonial Hilton. Speakers were Dr. Glen Beneby, Chief Medical Officer; Dr Merciana Moxey, Senior Medical Officer, Surveillance Unit, Department of Public Health Services who presented ?What is Zika?; Joy Jibrilu, Director General, Ministry of Tourism who spoke on ?Zika and the Impact on Tourism?; and Andrew Thompson, Assistant Director, Department of Environmental Health Services who spoke on ?Preventive Measures.? Scientists have determined that the Zika virus is spread by daytime-active Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. Its name comes from the Zika Forest of Uganda, where the virus was first isolated in 1947. Zika virus is related to the dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. Since the 1950s, it has been known to occur within a narrow equatorial belt from Africa to Asia. From 2007 to 2016, the virus spread eastward, across the Pacific Ocean to the Americas, leading to the 2015-16 Zika virus epidemic. As of August 10, 2016, the first cast of the Zika virus was announced in The Bahamas and three weeks later health officials recorded eight cases with some 83 suspected cases being investigated. And according to Mrs. Jibrilu, it is too early to tell if the few recorded cases of Zika in New Providence has had, or will have, any impact on travel bookings to The Bahamas. ?In The Bahamas, we have no illusions. When it comes to the management of threats to public health, we must do so with transparency and openness. We are keenly aware of our status with regard to Zika and what the implications are for our destination, a destination that is heavily dependent on tourism,? she said. As soon as the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus a global health emergency in February 2016, The Bahamas mounted a united campaign of Zika prevention encompassing all related Government ministries and private sector entities namely the Ministry of Health, the Department of Environmental Health Services, the Ministry of Tourism, the Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association, the Department of Immigration, Customs Department and other related agencies. Dr. Glen Beneby said that the Ministry is taking the matter seriously after the first discovery in August. He said it was just a matter of time before the virus hits The Bahamas, a leader in tourism, which caters to a global community. He noted that public health workers are focusing on preventing the spread of the disease with a number of proactive and preventive measures. And, as the country prepares for Universal Health Care, the partnership is a sign of what could be done together. He added that the meeting was a continuous process in doing the right thing and following the right protocols. The Zika campaign is working on four major fronts: 1 ? Surveillance at all ports of entry, hotels with a system of reporting and rapid follow-up; 2 ? Vector control ? The Department of Environmental Health services has notified the public of scheduled fogging exercises. However, the public is being encouraged to do its part by keeping containers around their properties empty as the mosquito breeds in open containers filled with water, wear long sleeves during the day, the use of mosquito repellant, use condoms during sexual encounters, amongst other precautions; 3 ? A robust public awareness campaign to communicate the risks of the virus via radio and TV Public Service Announcements (PSAs); and, 4 ? Medical care ? health care providers in both the public and private sector are on high alert to respond to individuals presenting any symptoms of Zika. Zika often causes no or only mild symptoms, similar to a very mild form of Dengue Fever. While there is no specific treatment, paracetamol (acetaminophen) and rest may help with the symptoms. Zika can also spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus. This can result in microcephaly, severe brain malformations and other birth defects.
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http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/portal...vZ0FBIS9nQSEh/

Announcement

First travel-related Zika case confirmed in the Bahamas

First travel-related Zika case confirmed in the Bahamas

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