The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment has increased surveillance in light of increased reports of Zika virus in several neighbouring regional territories, and is calling on persons to play their role by taking care of their immediate environment and taking every precaution to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
The Health Ministry said in a statement that Zika is a viral disease that is found in a specific kind of mosquito, the Aedes Aegypti. However, any mosquito can pick it up and transmit it if it bites an infected person.
It can also be transmitted through blood transfusion, birth and sexual intercourse.
The Ministry is therefore calling for the collaboration of all persons in the fight to get rid of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito and other vectors.
While the virus is not presently here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Ministry of Health is taking a proactive approach and is advising persons to be vigilant, given that the virus will bring with it adverse effects should it come here.
