Zika still a TT emergency

“The Ministry of Health declared Zika a national public health emergency on January 29th based on the threat as then assessed, making Trinidad and Tobago one of the first countries in the world to do so. The WHO declared a global public health emergency on February 1st which allowed for increased and more rapid research to be conducted,” the statement said.

This research has since linked Zika to Guillain-Barr? syndrome in some adults and the severe birth defect in babies, microcephaly.

“This underscores that the Zika crisis is far from over as it has now been classified as a dangerous, mosquito-borne disease similar to malaria or yellow fever and should be viewed as an ongoing threat,” said the statement, adding: “The ministry, having noted the WHO’s recent position, wishes to advise the population of Trinidad and Tobago that vigilance must be maintained in the coming months to ensure the safety of our citizens, especially pregnant women.

“Citizens are therefore urged to continue working with authorities in the eradication of mosquito breeding sites and to take all necessary precautions to avoid being bitten by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.”