Background
On February 1, 2016 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This designation is reserved for public health crises which will have global reach. The first case of Zika virus in Jamaica was confirmed on January 29, 2016.
Cases of Zika virus in Jamaica
As at September 30, 2016, the Ministry of Health received eight thousand three hundred and forty four (8,344) notifications for the zika virus of which six thousand three hundred and seventy-seven (6,377) or seventy six percent (76%) fit the case definition for Zika and were classified as “Suspected Zika”.
Geographic spread
There were ninety six (96) confirmed cases. The confirmed cases were reported from the parishes of St Catherine (14), St Thomas (10), Clarendon (7), St. Mary (3), Kingston & St. Andrew (40), Trelawny (1), St. James (7), Manchester (3), St. Ann (2), Portland (2), Westmoreland (1) and six (6) cases with unknown addresses.
Zika and Pregnancy
There were five hundred and seventy eight (578) cases of suspected Zika virus infection in pregnant women reported. Thirty eight (38) of these suspected cases have tested positive.
Neurological Complications of Zika Virus Infection
There were one hundred and thirty one (131) notifications for Guillain Barre (paralysis) Syndrome (GBS); thirty three (33) of these fit the case definition for GBS based on clinical signs, symptoms and investigation results and were deemed suspected cases. Three (3) were zika positive.