MARIGOT--The latest bulletin issued by Cellule Inter-Régionale d’Epidémiologie (CIRE) Antilles-Guyane confirms seven cases of Zika in St. Martin, of which one concerns a pregnant woman, the Préfecture disclosed Monday.
There are currently no Zika cases in St. Barths, however, the same agency indicates the neighbouring island has 460 suspected cases of dengue and 69 “probable or confirmed” cases since mid-December 2015. A dengue management meeting was convened on February 18, 2016.
In St. Martin a Zika management meeting was held on February 17, chaired by Préfète Anne Laubies at the Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital, to discuss the epidemiological situation and organisation of communication plans to combat Zika.
The regional health authority ARS invites the public to obtain advice from its agents on eradicating mosquito-breeding sites around the home, closing water cisterns, and obtaining the Golomine fish that protect cisterns by eating the mosquito larvae.
A communique advising travellers about Zika has been issued to the management of Grand Case Airport and the airlines.
Additionally, the first French version batch of flyers on “Zika, the Fight Resumes” has been distributed to doctor’s surgeries, family doctors and gynaecologists. The flyers list the steps to take to eliminate mosquito-breeding and to protect you from being bitten. By the end of February distribution of flyers will be accelerated and they will also be in English and Spanish.
Preventative measures include throwing out stagnant water in flower pots and other containers, covering water cisterns, checking rain gutters for accumulation of stagnant water, and checking waste bins for any accumulation of water.
For personal protection use mosquito repellent liberally, wear long pants and long sleeve clothing, install mosquito screens and sleep under a mosquito net.
