Providenciales, TCI, November 16, 2016 – Three new cases of Zika for the Turks and Caicos Islands and Grand Turk is now reporting its first instance of the mosquito borne, sexually transmitted virus. The Ministry of Health this morning revealed the latest stats on the Zika Virus and said there are many more mosquitoes around due to the frequency of rainy weather. This explained the Ministry has caused a step up in frequency of spraying and other vector control measures.
“The Ministry continues to enhance prevention and control measures already in place against diseases transmitted by mosquitoes such as Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika. These include education, premises inspections, fogging to kill adult mosquitoes and treating potential breeding sites such as swamps to prevent mosquito breeding.”
The Turks and Caicos now has on record, 15 cases where 12 females and three males were confirmed to have the virus which causes Microcephaly in babies and Guillain Barre Syndrome, a nerve disorder.
Zika is also A symptomatic; 80% of infected people will not even know they have the disease and since the 15 cases only reflects the ‘tip of the iceberg’ in actual cases, it means there is more Zika in country than is actually reported as recorded. The public is encouraged to do what you can to avoid mosquito bites, reduce mosquito breeding sites and use of a condom during sex is now even more recommended.
