With the Zika Virus getting closer to Dominica, the Ministry of Health is putting measures in place to prevent its introduction into the island.
Senior Environmental Health Officer, Clara Charles, said at a press conference at the Dominica Festivals Committee’s (DFC) office on Wednesday, that security measures will be placed at the country’s ports of entry.
“As we know the Ferry comes in from Martinique and from the other French countries on a daily basis, we also have visitors coming from Barbados and other Caribbean countries and Puerto Rico for the Carnival season, and even from the US (United States) also,” she said.
She noted that port health officers are stationed and are available when planes or vessels arrive in Dominica.
“They will receive the necessary documentation whether any persons are suspected of being ill on the vessel or the aircraft,” Charles explained. “They will also be interviewing individuals who come from areas that are affected with the Zika Virus.”
The virus has been reported in many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean including Martinique, Barbados, St Martin, Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe. It is spread through the Aedes Aegypti mosquito which is present here and according to Charles there are areas known for the high breeding of mosquitoes on the island.
“If there is anyone who comes into Dominica with the presence of the Zika Virus, then its very easy for it to become an explosion and spread out just as we had our experience with Chikungunya in 2014,” she said.
She noted that increased premises surveillance has already started for the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.
“We also have started educational programs throughout our schools, our health centres, for the public,” she stated. “We have also started fogging activities in our areas of high mosquito infestation.”
She said fogging was done in Marigot including that of Douglas-Charles Airport on Wednesday morning.
Symptoms of the Zika Virus include fever, rash, muscle pain, joint pain, headache, pain behind the eyes and sometimes red eyes.
There’s zika in Dominica. This would raise the population’s IQ however. Getting rid of missionaries would raise it a lot more.
http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/zika-spreads-so-do-fears-about-birth-defects-other-dangers-n501246
All the other countries with way better health care could not stop it but u all trying lol w.. Dominica going to be the worst affected
Above comment to L,original you are a shit head get back under a rock.
to stop the spread… spray for mosquitoes more effectively and remove still water where mosquitoes breed.
The Massacre playing field that was left like a swamp post Erika seems like a great breeding ground for mosquitos. If nobody official has seem that up to know then I doubt anything really is being done for Zika besides talk.
Fogging is essential,however an effort has to be made to keep drains free of stagnant water,Village councils can engage the help of villagers to assist in sweeping the public drains.
Corporate citizens eg NDB, PWD, should be called on to remove all derilect vehicles from the premises,both a sore eye snd health hazard.
Health dept need to call on a property in Canefield leading to the beach to clean a dumpsite,immediately.
ST Joseph and other councils need to keep the river flowing to the sea,not allowing it to become a septic pool near the beach..
Keep Dominica Zika free.
We need to have all onboard to keep Dominica healthy and strong for generations to come.
I like your suggestions. All this should be the norm. Not a knee jerk reaction. That’s what people who value thier country do.
I hope the preparation and method of treatment is not like what was done for the Chic virus because it spread like wild fire before the Ministry of Health could do anything ; it was claimed to be brought under control but by what? up to now they do not know what happen the virus just started to died out and they claim is because of their intervention, but if you look around nothing much has changed the environment is still very conducive for the breeding and spreading of mosquito borne diseases..
Of course most stupid people will ignore the measures, as they did for chikungunya. The really stupid (religious) will deny mosquitoes case it and chalk it up to something in the air and “god’s will.
This is a tough one. I would suggest starting mosquito fogging all over the country now, especially in identified breeding areas to lower thier population. Does airport have a mosquito breeding problem? Sounds like they there waiting to attack people as they come in. Someone does not get sick or show symptoms immediately after being beaten.
I hope that our dearly beloved most high supreme leader, his ultimate majesty, the life giver, the #1 bread winner, the most holy emperor, kings of kings and lord of lords, master of the universe, prince of peace and prince of all marcaque, Dr. R Skeritt is putting some of that passport money aside to save his kingdom from this potential infestation as our pockets are empty and we won’t be able to fly overseas first class to seek medical attention. Just imagine being poor, broke, hungry, jobless, then still having to deal Zika on top of that? Oh my God, this is getting to be too much my brains to fathom. Brace yourselves Dominicans. I wish you all God’s speed.
Good Morning i love how you describe our Lord and savior i will always pray for you for that reason
Florida is not immune to it! brace yourself too.
JUST SHUT UP
This is scary….babies are born with microcephaly….
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35368401