Govt Confirms Second Case: Imported Zika Virus
The Department of Health confirmed that a “person who recently travelled to a Zika-affected country” has been diagnosed with Zika, which represents the second confirmed imported [travel-related] case of Zika virus in Bermuda.
“Although widespread, ongoing local transmission remains unlikely, the public is asked to guard against mosquito bites and sexual transmission both away and at home in order to keep Bermuda’s risk as low as possible,” the Department said.
“With frequent travel between Bermuda and areas with Zika virus in the Caribbean and the Americas, the Department of Health continues to work with healthcare providers, and local and regional public health partners to monitor possible imported cases.
“Physicians are reminded to report any suspected cases to the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit as required by the Public Health Act 1949.
“The public is advised to:
- Use an EPA-approved insect repellent every time you go outside, and follow label instructions.
- Drain standing water where mosquitoes can breed around homes and offices on a weekly basis. If you are being bitten, call Vector Control: 278-5397
- Wear long sleeves and pants when outside.
- After travel in a Zika area, men and women should protect their sexual partner(s) by using condoms correctly and consistently for six months.
- Use air conditioning or make sure doors and windows are screened to keep mosquitoes outside.
“The Department of Health will continue to test those suspected of having Zika virus. When a suspected case is identified, the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit advises the person how to protect the community at the time of testing and Vector Control steps up routine surveillance in a three-mile radius of the home of their home.
“Imported cases make local spread possible because a type of mosquito that could potentially transmit the virus is found in Bermuda. The mosquitoes that could transmit Zika usually bite during the day.
“It is particularly important to protect pregnant women, or those who plan to become pregnant, from contracting the Zika virus, because Zika may cause developmental problems in the baby during pregnancy.
“Pregnant women should avoid travel to areas with known Zika virus, and if travel is deemed unavoidable, take very careful precautions against mosquito bites and sexual transmission.
“If travelers to Zika-affected areas experience fever with joint pains, rash or conjunctivitis, they should seek medical attention and inform the healthcare provider of their recent travel history.
“The healthcare provider may order testing based on an evaluation of a patient’s symptoms and likelihood of encountering the virus. There is currently no vaccine for Zika and the healthcare provider will advise on how to treat any symptoms.”
Minister of Health and Seniors Jeanne Atherden said, “There has been no local spread of Zika virus reported in Bermuda, and the absence of any outbreaks of mosquito–transmitted diseases in several decades makes Bermuda a low risk location for local transmission.”
The Ministry said they “will regularly update statistics about travel-related cases on www.gov.bm/zika-virus as they arise. The Ministry will issue an updated press release should a case of local transmission be confirmed.”
Minister of Health and Seniors Jeanne Atherden it would be nice for you to tell the public where they had traveled. Other destinations always inform their people but here in Bermuda it’s like don’t ask don’t tell.
As a voter what am I paying you the $125,000.00 + a year for?
Why do you care? Are you an idiot?
Someone must be paying you write that and to defend her actions thus far. Pretty sure she’ll make a statement on news soon after the Premier speaks to her and ask her what she waiting for
Why would you care. We all know where the high risk places are. You’re just being pokey.
Zevon shows us how those Trump supporters act in US, no matter what S!@# he says they support him 100%.
Funny sounds a lot like the PLP/UBP. EXACTLY like their supporters…
Again OJ you cannot look past the color of one’s skin.
Trump is white but his ideology mirrors that of yours and the PLP in general.
He is against immigration, but primarily against illegal immigration. You and your ilk are even worse as you are against people who are here and have been here legally for decades. A PLP MP even stated that he is against immigration because it would hurt destroy Bermuda’s culture. Just like Trump and his supporters.
You are against gays cause you claim it is a ‘disgusting European culture’ while Trump rails against Mexican culture.
So while you hate Trump’s skin color you are absolutely in love with his ideology and are full on subscriber.
You guys are exactly what you profess to hate.
Congrats.
I’d like to know too.
Patient confidentiality. If there were to be a release of where they travelled, every person who have travelled in that area would be placed in a box by society.
How fair do you think that would be?
Further, the CDC maps out places that are a high risk. If the public is already aware of those specific places at risk, why should it be of concern to the public where and when exactly these people travelled?
Besides, what good will come knowing where these people got infected? Ok, they were in the Caribbean/Miami…. like everyone else that gets infected….and? What’s the purpose?
This is ridiculous money over people’s well being
Zevon – you are an A hole
Stfu Zevon
Tons of people travelled to Brazil for the Olympics, so it’s not surprising. Two cases isn’t a huge deal, so no need to panic. Mr. Thomas from Vector Control was on the radio this morning, and his comments were pretty reassuring. We don’t have the mosquito that carries the virus here, and 80% of the people that have it don’t even show symptoms.
So what about the people that have travelled to the Miami infested areas and other countries that have been affected ?
What about them? They knew when they went to the Caribbean (or wherever) that it’s infested with the disease. Everyone knows the areas where you might catch it.
What about them? Nunya dam business where they went. Do you ask people with AIDS/HepC/TB where they got it?
“Imported cases make local spread possible because a type of mosquito that could potentially transmit the virus IS found in Bermuda. The mosquitoes that could transmit Zika usually bite during the day.” As stated in the article
And the 80% who have it can potentially have unprotected sex and spread it…that should be a big deal to those who like multiple partners and don’t wrap up
We have aedes albopictus here. Zika virus is a member of the virus family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus. It is spread by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. aegypti and A. albopictus.
The idiot trolls are out.
yep. Nothing new there.
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/174587/20160822/adult-brain-just-as-vulnerable-to-zika-virus-as-fetal-brain-study.htm