Country Programme Specialist for the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Shirley Augustine, has revealed that there is no justification for a travel restriction for the Caribbean as relates to the Zika virus.
The statement followed a Level II Travel Alert (Practice Enhanced Precautions) for people travelling to and from the Caribbean, issued by the US-based Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Augustine stated at a consultation for stakeholders on Thursday, that while travellers must exercise every precaution, there is no reason to restrict travel to the Caribbean countries – the economies of which depend largely on tourism.
“The committee found no justification for restrictions on travel or trade. However, travellers to areas where Zika virus cases have been found, are urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites, through personal and household prevention steps… PAHO/WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to Zika virus disease,” she stated.
She went on to state that PAHO advises member states to base their recommendations on their assessments of evidence in their own countries, and to consider local risk factors and consequences, relating to their own populations.
She said preventative measures must be taken to prevent the disease.
“Let me reiterate, Zika alone would not constitute a public health emergency of international concern,” Augustine said. “PAHO has made a number of recommendations, such as reducing populations of mosquitoes that transmit Zika virus, personal and household protection, vector control at ports of entry, pregnant women and women planning to be pregnant, blood safety among others.”
She said the organization has been working closely with affected countries since May 2015, following the first report the Zika virus in Brazil, and has also assisted the Health Ministries of member states to screen and raise awareness for the virus.
PAHO has pledged technical support to Dominica’s effort to prevent and prepare for the disease.
You have no basis for your comments concerning the outbreak. How dare you tell us not to worry !
Lady, your opinion is of no consequence at this time !
You have no real authority in this matter and you duty at this time is to teach prevention as dictated by protocol.
Tell that to the American population. They are telling people go stay away. You say something else.