West Nile virus in TT?

THE Ministry of Health is investigating a possible case of the rare but deadly West Nile virus in South Trinidad following the death of a former Petrotrin employee. The virus is transmitted from a rare species of mosquito which normally lives in West Africa.

Officials at the Ministry of Health yesterday confirmed that they were investigating a suspected case of the West Nile virus. The man, 46, of Bay Road in Marabella, died on January 24. A post-mortem revealed he suffered complications in the liver.

Tissue samples were sent to the Government laboratory for analysis. Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Health received a report from the Government Laboratory that tests on the tissue samples showed the man had contracted the rare West Nile virus.

Yesterday, Health Ministry Communications Officer Keith Sanchoo, told Newsday the ministry was investigating a suspected case, but could not confirm if it was the West Nile virus. Newsday was told that further tests were being carried out by the ministry.

Chief Health Inspector at the San Fernando City Corporation Selwyn Waterman, disclosed yesterday that three weeks ago, a team of health officials conducted fogging and spraying at Bay Road.

Waterman said that residents had complained about the prevalence of mosquitoes, which they said were unusually large in size. Newsday visited Bay Road yesterday, but residents were tight-lipped over the death of the man. They have called for more frequent spraying following the man’s death.

In its severest form, the West Nile virus causes such ailments as high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.