ZIKV seemingly on the rise in Clarendon

MAY PEN, Clarendon:

There is growing concern among residents of southeast Clarendon as several persons, including children, have been turning up at the Lionel Town Health Centre with ZIKV-like symptoms.

Councillor for the Hayes division Scean Barnswell said that he had received several reports of persons turning up with rashes, high fever, red eyes, and other symptoms that are associated with the virus.

Awaiting blood test results

Medical officer of health for the parish Dr Kimberly Scarlett Campbell said that the health department was awaiting the results of blood tests to confirm if the virus was actually in the parish. She said she could not state the number of suspected cases in the parish as yet.

The affected areas include Waterlane, Lionel Town, Nineteen Mile, and Sandy Bay. Schools, including Hayes Primary and Vere Technical High are also, reportedly, affected.

It has been reported that at least one student turned up at the Green Park Primary and Junior High School with rashes and pains last week and was sent home. However, Scarlett Campbell said she was unaware of the case or of any other reports coming out of the Sandy Bay and Nineteen Mile areas but indicated that she would have a team from the health department conduct an investigation as soon as possible.

Principal of the Vere Technical High School Dr Henrietta Stewart said students have turned up at school with ZIKV-like symptoms.

"We reported it to the health department, and the public health people came and fogged our schools and gave the students tips on protecting themselves," she said.

Barnswell stated that there has been an increase in mosquito infestation since the beginning of the rainy season.