Premier of the Turks & Caicos issued a breaking release on the Zika Virus being found in the Turks & Caicos.
“My fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, on July 26th my Public Health Staff in the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Human Services reported 5 confirmed cases of Zika virus infections in the Turks and Cases Islands, three of which are imported and two of which are currently undergoing further investigations to determine whether they are also imported or part of local transmissions. The Ministry of Health is working with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), PAHO and UK IHR on the investigation of these cases.
“The Environmental Health Department and Public Health Disease Surveillance Team of the Ministry of Health has stepped up its surveillance activities and has been working with the persons infected with the Zika virus to ensure that the risk of in-country transmission is reduced.
“I am urging all residents and visitors of the Turks and Caicos Islands to remain calm as there is no evidence of in-country transmission at this time, although it remains possible.
“Therefore we, in the Ministry of Health, are asking all persons to take the necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites and to reduce the number of mosquitoes in and around your households, by cleaning up your yards and removing all catchment containers and derelict vehicles that can hold water as methods of reducing mosquito breeding.
“The Environmental Health Department will continue its fogging activities where necessary and country-wide cleanup campaigns will continue.
“During the Pre-Joint Ministerial Council Conference which was hosted here last week I, along with the other UK Overseas Territory Leaders, discussed new and innovative ways to combat the Zika virus by reducing the population of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito population. We will continue to explore those initiatives which are deemed suitable and applicable in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“We are particularly asking pregnant women to take extra precaution to avoid mosquito bites and to visit our local public health care providers who are currently issuing mosquito nets and providing educational material.
“The Government’s efforts will continue in this fight against this and other vector-borne illnesses and I, along with the Ministry of Health, will continue to update you on a regular basis on all changes to the status of Zika in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“May God continue to protect you and bless you and may He continue to bless these Turks and Caicos Islands.”
