Minister of Health, Hon. Horace Dalley is reminding all physicians of their obligation under the Public Health Act and Regulations to report any notifiable suspected case of an illness to the Ministry of Health in the manner prescribed by the Act. Minister Dalley indicated that in the case of the zika virus these notifications are to be made within 24 hours.
“Let me remind private practitioners and laboratories that under the Public Health Act zika virus infection is a class one notifiable disease which means it must be reported within 24 hours on suspicion,” said Minister Dalley.
In light of this Minister Dalley is requesting that Dr. Sandra Williams Phillips provide the Ministry of Health with the information she claims she has regarding zika virus cases in the format prescribed by the Public Health Act. He says she should include the names of those patients whom she may have seen in her private practice who she believed showed symptoms similar to those of the zika virus.
“I am extending an invitation to Dr. Williams Phillips to meet with me and provide any information she may have on this matter either tomorrow (Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 1:00pm or Friday, February 5, 2016 at 11:00am,” Minister Dalley said.