Zika virus contraction risk lowered – CARPHA

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has concluded that the possibility of contracting the Zika virus has been lowered at this time of the year; and further, CARPHA has indicated that visitors have a very small chance of acquiring the disease.
This deduction was drawn after a review of the data that was collected over the last 30 months relative to the extent of the virus.
The Zika virus (ZIKV) was first detected in the Caribbean in 2015, and the number of cases increased in the first half of 2016, reaching a peak in the following August; but by the end of 2016, those numbers had rapidly decreased.
CARPHA has been conducting surveillance and laboratory testing activities throughout the years, and working with its 26 member states (CMS) and other partners to strengthen the ability to diagnose cases and reduce the chances of ZIKV being transmitted with other vector-borne diseases.
CARPHA and its CMS have also been seeking to create measures to prevent the ZIKV from spreading and keeping the contraction rate as low as possible.
Presently, circulation of the virus has been interrupted in the Caribbean region based on the tests that were conducted, the congruency of data available from several sources, and from previous outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases.
So far, local surveillance has demonstrated a decrease in general fever-related illnesses as well as a specific absence of ZIKV reports over the past year.
The CARPHA Regional Laboratory has informed that it is continuing to monitor and conduct tests for the disease, in the event that the figures increase in the coming months.
“These tests have shown the drastic decrease from the peak of ZIKV circulation in 2016 to a situation where no cases of ZIKV have been confirmed among samples received from any CMS over the past 12 months,” the Regional Laboratory has said.
It has further been related that the other international public health agencies, such as the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the European Centres for Disease Control (ECDC), were engaged so as to acquire information on travellers who might be returning to Canada and Europe from the Caribbean.
“The data shared indicate a similar pattern to that seen in our regional data – a drastic decrease: from a high-point in 2016 to sporadic cases in the immediate aftermath, and no cases this year.”
The organisation has still maintained, however, that there is an ongoing risk for dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.
“The Agency maintains continuous vigilance of health and disease trends and risks for residents and visitors in the region. We continue to work closely with other public health partners, including USCDC; PAHO/WHO; tourism organisations; public health agencies in Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, to find innovative ways of mosquito control, including behaviour change communication and research,” CARPHA has said. For the data to remain constant, the Agency has stated, “There is need to strengthen surveillance in member states; set up registries for babies affected in the 2016 epidemic; enhance laboratory testing capacity, and document the findings of countries to ensure evidence-based policy and practice; and to look at ways to deal with climate-sensitive, mosquito-borne diseases.”