Jamaica ramps up preparedness for Zika virus

The Ministry of Health says it is conducting preparedness activities for the possible introduction of the zika virus to Jamaica.

The virus has been reported in Brazil, Colombia and suspected in the Dominican Republic. The Pan American Health Organization has indicated that it has been confirmed in Suriname.

The island's chief medical officer, Dr Marion Bullock Ducasse, says persons need to be more vigilant and should ensure that their environments are clean and mosquito breeding sites destroyed.

She says the zika virus is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which also spreads chikungunya and dengue.