Mild cases of the zika virus have been confirmed in Saint Lucia with patients complaining mostly of an itchy rash.

Several cases of Zika Virus Disease have been confirmed in Saint Lucia.

As of June 15, eight cases of zika had been confirmed; three of which are pregnant women. The women are being closely monitored by Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialists.

A small sample of persons suspected as having the disease will now be routinely tested, as per established epidemiologic guidelines: pregnant women suspected of having zika will be tested and closely monitored given the possibility for birth defects such as microcephaly; while admitted patients and patients suspected of having the rare complication of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS), a paralytic-like illness, will also be tested.

Samples have been sent to CARPHA for advanced DNA PCR testing, while samples from patients suspected of having  Guillain Barre Syndrome were also sent to Martinique for testing, with results turning up negative results for zika.  

Prior to 2016, Zika Virus Disease had not been detected in Saint Lucia and most Caribbean countries, leaving the population with no natural immunity (immunologically naïve) to the disease. As such, if a person is bitten by an infected mosquito, there is a high possibility of contracting the disease, although symptoms may be absent or very mild.

Given the mild nature of the disease, most persons who contract Zika may not know that they are infected, and would therefore not be recorded as cases within the health system. This, in addition to laboratory factors implies that the number of confirmed cases recorded by the Epidemiology Unit will not reflect the actual number of cases on island.

Health officials say they have noted a mild, but gradual increase in the number of persons seeking treatment for an itchy, generalized rash mainly on the face and upper body. Some report a recent history of having had a low grade fever, but most do not have fever at the time that they seek care for the rash. A few persons have red eyes, and in comparison with the trends seen during the Chikungunya outbreak, few persons complain of painful swollen joints.

Unfortunately, rapid laboratory tests for zika are unreliable, and the virus is detectable in the blood of infected persons for only a brief period. This makes confirmation of the disease difficult. In reality, only one out of every four persons affected with the disease may develop symptoms; and although the mosquito is the main agent responsible for spreading the disease, the virus can survive for weeks in the semen of infected males, making sexual transmission of the disease possible.

Treatment of patients is the same regardless of whether the disease is suspected or confirmed, with pain and fever relieving medicines such as Paracetamol, rest, fluids, and medication to relieve itching.

With the onset of the rainy season and the increased retention of rainwater in receptacles, it is anticipated that the mosquito population will increase unless measures are taken to decrease breeding.

The measures taken to prevent the spread of zika include wearing long-sleeved clothing and long pants, using mosquito repellents, utilizing bed nets and installing window and door screens, destroying mosquito breeding sites, using soil instead of water in flower vases, ensuring that drums are properly covered and water tanks are properly sealed. The health ministry also advises performing weekly inspections of your home and surroundings to ensure that there are no breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

The Ministry of Health continues its fogging operations and health promotion activities to decrease the impact of zika and other mosquito borne diseases.

With the upcoming carnival season, visitors are reminded that mosquito borne diseases are endemic in the tropics and preventative measures should be taken. The World Health Organization also advises that pregnant women consider delaying travel to zika affected areas.

The Ministry of Health continues to engage with multiple stakeholders in raising awareness about zika. Partners such as the tourism industry, the education sector, communities and other stakeholders are encouraged to remain vigilant and continue previously initiated activities within their sectors.

The public is also encouraged to continue preventative efforts.

For more information, contact the Bureau of Health Information at 758.468.5349 or the Chief Medical Officer’s office at 758.468.5309.