Dominican Republic: Dominica reports first confirmed case of the Zika virus

Dominica has reported its initial case of the mosquito-borne Zika virus.

Health Minister Dr. Kenneth Darroux said yesterday that it was a locally transmitted case, since the person who was infected had no history of travel outside the island in the recent completed.

“To date, a total of 13 samples have been tested for Zika virus with only one being positive,” he said.

The individual has since recovered and “all immediate contacts have so far been deemed clinically healthy”, the minister added.

Darroux said there is no need for alarm, and advised anyone showing symptoms to seek medical attention.

He said the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with other non-health sectors, has formulated a National Zika Plan which will give guidance on actions to be taken.

“We will continue to closely follow the course of this disease, presently that it has made an appearance here,” he said, adding that officials are committed to doing everything possible to curb the threat of the virus.

Although Zika is a mild illness, there has been a reported link to microcephaly, a condition in which babies are born with abnormally small heads and brain damage, and the severe neurological disorder Guillain-Barré syndrome, which leads to muscle weakness and, in severe cases, paralysis and breathing problems requiring intensive care. Some cases of both illnesses can be fatal.

Zika has spread to about three dozen nations in the Americas since last year.