Health officials with the Caribbean island nation of Dominica have confirmed the first autochthonous, or locally acquired Zika virus infection case Wednesday.
Health Minister, Dr. Kenneth Darroux said the following during the announcement:
This confirmed case does not have any history of travelling outside of Dominica in the recent past and constitutes a locally transmitted (autochthonous) case. The patient has since recovered well, is currently at home and all immediate contacts have so far been deemed healthy. To date, a total of 13 samples have been tested for Zika virus with only one being positive.
The Ministry of Health and the Environment wishes to reassure citizens that there is no need for alarm; I repeat there is no need for alarm.
The Ministry, in collaboration with other non-health sectors, has formulated a National Zika Plan which provides guidance on the actions to be taken. Thus far the Ministry has implemented a series of preventive measures including source reduction through a National Clean-up Program, public education and awareness through radio and TV programs as well as a Zika hotline and others.
In response to this new situation, the Ministry of Health and Environment has convened a meeting to review and refine management strategies and guidelines which will shape the Ministry’s response and has initiated a rapid and coordinated response to the threat of the disease through planned strategies and programmes.
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