Wednesday at the Training Center of the Haitian Red Cross (HRC) in Port-au-Prince, the National Society has officially launched the anti-ZIKA operation.

CRH is mobilized in a massive operation that includes, among others, community mobilization, distribution of materials and fumigation in some areas identified by the Ministry of Health as being vulnerable communities in relation to the Zika virus.

This action plan in support of the American Red Cross, the International Federation of the Red Cross, Red Crescent and UNICEF.

Recall that the last balance sheet reported by the Ministry on the number of cases found in the country (which is very discreet on the situation) reported at the time of nearly 2,000 cases in Haiti (16 March 2016) https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-16993-icihaiti-health-since-the-appearance-of-zika-1777-cases-reported.html

Guidelines of the Ministry of Health :

"Anyone who has symptoms such as: a moderate fever (slightly elevated body temperature), headache, non purulent conjunctivitis (red eyes), rash with itching, pain in joints and muscles, swelling of the feet and hands , must go to the nearest health center for possible support.

NB: Preventive measures are the same as those of chikungunya because the disease is transmitted by the same vector (Aedes). Meanwhile, it is advisable at all to adopt the following measures: sleeping under bed nets; wear long clothing that covers extremities (arms and legs, apply to skin mosquito creams (containing DEET, IR3535) or clothing impregnated.

Learn more about Zika virus :

Zika virus is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The clinical syndrome is known as Zika fever. The infection is symptomatic only in 18% of cases, and when it is, the diagnosis can be difficult to makes, the symptoms can be confused with those of, among other dengue or chikungunya. After incubation for 3 to 12 days, the presence of virus in blood is generally observed for 2 to 5 days. The Zika fever is self-limiting, the symptoms during 4 to 7 days. There are no antiviral against the Zika and treatment based solely on managing symptoms.

Recall that according to the state of knowledge and current research, pregnant women infected with the virus are considered at risk, they may cause serious complications such as cases of microcephaly in the newborn and Guillain Barré syndrome also seems possible.

See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-16993-icihaiti-health-since-the-appearance-of-zika-1777-cases-reported.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-16202-haiti-notice-early-warning-system-of-suspected-cases-of-the-zika-virus.html

HL/ HaitiLibre