The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment says it has been officially informed by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that this country will be placed on the CDC Travel watch list.
The CDC has indicated that they will update their Travel Notice website to include St. Vincent and the Grenadines among the areas listed as having Zika virus circulation.
The Travel Notice is currently at Watch-Level 2, “practice enhanced precautions,” with special precautions being recommended for pregnant women, who are advised to consider postponing travel, and for women of childbearing age who are planning to become pregnant, who are advised to consult with their doctor before traveling.
All travelers are urged to as usual, strictly adhere to mosquito bite precautions.
The Ministry of Health says it will continue to monitor the situation and it is reminding persons that our health is a shared responsibility hence we must all do our part to minimize the impact of Zika virus in this country.
The first laboratory confirmation of the Zika virus here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines was recorded on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016, and pertains to a 34 year old female resident of Union Island who has since recovered.
