PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten has registered its second confirmed case of Zika virus, Health Minister Emil Lee disclosed at the Council of Ministers’ press briefing on Wednesday.
The second case was diagnosed on Sunday, February 21. A Dutch tourist from the Netherlands, who arrived in St. Maarten on February 3, was diagnosed with the virus. The tourist left the country on February 10, more than two weeks before the case was diagnosed.
Lee said the tourist had been staying in the Dawn Beach Estates residence area and it was not until February 13, three days after arriving in the Netherlands that the patient experienced symptoms. Similar to the first confirmed case, the person had also travelled to a neighbouring island for the day prior to being diagnosed.
He said the first confirmed case had been a resident of the Saunders area. The age of the female person could not be ascertained and it was not disclosed whether the person is pregnant or not.
“Upon diagnosis, when the person is most at risk of being bitten by a mosquito and spreading the virus, the person remained at home and was informed and requested to use repellent in order to avoid mosquitoes from feeding on her blood,” Lee said.
He said the Department of Collective Prevention Service (CPS) has also conducted a site visit in the Saunders area and identified five breeding sites in the surrounding area of the patient. These include a tool kit lid containing larvae; a painting drum lid containing mosquito larvae, a Styrofoam container, a plastic plate containing larvae and soda cans filled with water containing larvae.
CPS has also visited the Dawn Beach area, however, a report of this visit is still being processed. “As the virus is now touching home here (in) St. Maarten, persons should be aware of the associated symptoms and consult with their doctor in cases of suspicion. The Zika virus infection may present few or no symptoms. In general, disease symptoms are mild and short-lasting. Its symptoms are similar to those of dengue and chikungunya and may include conjunctivitis, fever, rash (on the entire body and on face) joint and muscle pain,” Lee said.
“As we continue to monitor and take proactive measures to eliminate breeding grounds and protect the population and visitors, it is important for everyone to clean your surroundings, make use of our reporting mechanisms,” he added.
The minister urged residents to report potential breeding sites to tel. (550-call/550-2255). The hotline also can be accessed via WhatsApp. “We encourage people to send pictures of your reports and provide accurate information on the location. It is also important that persons use repellent correctly and continuously, especially at the times when the mosquito is most active, which is at early morning and evening,” Lee noted.
