It is also suspected to carry the risk of microcephaly, which causes smaller than expected head sizes to occur in infants of affected mothers. British Virgin Islands medical officer of health, Dr Ronald Georges, said, “The zika virus is now present in the OECS, Martinique and Puerto Rico and considering the volume of travel between the BVI and these islands, there is a need for increased surveillance and heightened awareness of this virus and its impact on human health.” Acute symptoms can last from four to seven days and includes fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, eyeball pain, weakness, red rash consisting of small bumps, swelling in the lower limbs, anorexia, vomiting and diarrhea, abdominal pain and conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is mainly an inflammation of the outermost layer of the eye and inner surface of the eyelids with no pus production. Georges said, “There is no specific medicine or treatment for the zika virus infection but persons who suspect that they are affected should visit their health care provider to obtain medication for pain and fever as well as the necessary counselling.” He added, “Prevention and control is fundamental to avoiding transmission of the virus.
As a result, the ministry is encouraging persons to take better control of the environment by eliminating mosquito breeding sites in households and common areas. Personal prevention should be heightened by using mosquito bed nets which can also be treated with insecticide; wearing clothing that does not expose the skin, using mosquito repellents as well as installing wire mesh screens at windows and doors.” Property owners are also advised to spend at least ten minutes once a week checking around their surroundings to eliminate water sources that can provide breeding sites for mosquitoes such as clogged roof gutters and overgrown weeds and grass..
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