MARIGOT--The rapid increase of Zika cases on the French side since January 15, 2016, has prompted the Préfecture to organise a general awareness session for the public on the virus and how to stem its spread.
The French Institute for Public Health Surveillance INVS noted in its June 9 bulletin that St. Martin now has 180 confirmed cases, with 35 new cases reported since the last bulletin.
Included in the number are six pregnant women who are being monitored. Concerning neurological complications, only one case has been reported. The number of consultations with family doctors for suspicion of Zika continues to rise. There were 155 consultations in the first week of May.
The virus is being described as in an “active circulation phase.”
Préfète Anne Laubies, President of the Collectivité Aline Hanson, Director of the Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital Roland Toussaint and representatives from Agence Régional de Santé (ARS) are inviting the general public to an awareness session on Zika that will be held in the market area on the Marigot waterfront on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, from 8:00am onwards.
Information on preventing the spread of Zika and protecting oneself from mosquito bites will be dispensed to the public via information stands and flyers printed in English, French, and Spanish.
Guppy fish which eat the larvae of mosquitoes in cisterns will also be available for the public.
