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Trinidad and Tobago confirms first Zika case

Xinhua, February 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Health Ministry of Trinidad and Tobago confirmed on Wednesday the first case of the Zika virus in the Caribbean country.

The virus was found in a 61-year-old woman, who first exhibited symptoms on Feb. 10. The blood sample was confirmed to contain the Zika virus by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said Wednesday afternoon.

The woman traveled to New Zealand in January, but as New Zealand is a Zika-free country, how the woman contacted the virus was unknown, said the minister.

According to local media, a Rapid Response Unit was being set up to tackle the Zika virus and the Ministries of Local Government and National Security and other State agencies are involved in the program.

The Ministry of Health also reminded the public to take personal responsibility in dealing with mosquito borne diseases.

The Trinidad-based Caribbean Regional Public Health Agency called for the Caribbean region to continue its coordinated response to the threat of the Zika virus, including a public education campaign on how to stop mosquitoes from breeding and biting, and mobilizing resources for strengthening vector control. Endi