Town Hall Meetings for Zika Virus - How Hurricane Danny mean Mosquitoes ready to spread the Virus

“Even though governments must lead, citizens have an important role and must play their part in protecting their health. Chikungunya, zika virus and dengue are caused by the same Aedes aegypti mosquito and until we understand that this is a domesticated mosquito – meaning that it breeds, lives and thrives among people - then we can really prepare better”

Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson commenting on the Preparedness and Response Plan during the Town Hall Meeting in Mandela Park at Half-Way Tree, St Andrew on Wednesday August 18^th 2015

The Ministry of Health has started moving to makes sure everybody is prepared for the oncoming Zika Virus epidemic which one way or the other, is coming to Jamaica as predicted in my blog article entitled “Zika Virus is coming to Jamaica – Zero MOH Preparedness for Chikungunya Part II but Mosquito Repellant and Vitamin C works”. 

This as on Wednesday August 18^th 2015, they've begun a series of Town Hall meetings to explain how the Zika Virus is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti Mosquito as reported in the article “Zika Virus Town Hall Meeting In Half-Way Tree This Evening”, published Wednesday August 19, 2015, The Jamaica Gleaner.

The Town Hall Meeting were hosted by the SERHA (South East Regional Health Authority) in partnership with the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation as explained in the article “Health Ministry working to dispel myths surrounding transmission of mosquito borne diseases”, published Thursday, August 20, 2015, The Jamaica Observer.

The first one was held in the Mandela Park at Half-Way Tree, St Andrew starting at 6 o’clock with the Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson, Kingston's Mayor, Dr Angela Brown Burke and Health officials disseminating information on the Zika Virus as well as other public health issues such as:

1.      Handling infections from vector borne diseases (CHIKV, Zika virus and dengue)

2.      Water safety

3.      Safe and proper handling of food

The Preparedness and Response Plan was also publicly unveiled to Jamaicans, which happens to be the same Aedes Aegypti Mosquito Vector Control Programme that was launched three (3) months prior in May 2015 as reported in my blog article entitled “MOH Dr. Fenton Ferguson launches Aedes Aegypti Vector Control Programme - Zika Virus not yet in the Caribbean but be vigilant for Brazilians”. 

Other Town Hall meetings are being planned by SERHA in St Catherine and St Thomas. So what's new with the Preparedness and Response Plan for the Zika Virus?

Town Hall Meetings for Preparedness and Response Plan for Zika Virus - How Hurricane Danny makes this all worse

First, it's good to note that the Zika Virus, which has symptoms similar to the Dengue Virus as well as Chikungunya, is not yet in Jamaica.

However, it did surface in the Dominica Republic on Monday June 8^th 2015 as reported in my blog article entitled “Zika Virus in Caribbean as Dominica Republic Girl infected - Why Zika Virus will reach Jamaica and How to prepare using Citronella Soap and Vitamin C”. 

The symptoms of the Zika Virus manifest three (3) to twelve (12) days after the first bite by an infected Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the vector for the disease. After the initial infection, symptoms will last for four (4) to seven (7) days.

The infected will experience mild Chikungunya-like symptoms that lasting for up to four (4) weeks or longer as follows:

1.      Conjunctivitis

2.      Fever

3.      Headache

4.      Joint and muscle pain

5.      Rash

6.      Swelling of the lower limbs

7.      Weakness

Please not that “mild” here is relative; if your diet is lacking in Vitamin C, your dose will not be able to defend itself effectively against the Zika Virus as explained in my blog article entitled “Zika Virus is coming to Jamaica – Zero MOH Preparedness for Chikungunya Part II but Mosquito Repellant and Vitamin C works”.

So while you stock up on and include Vitamin C i.e. Drinks mix, Orange Juice, Carrots, fruits in your diet to build up your Immune System as well as remove mosquito breeding sites.   

SERHA Mesh covers for Parish Councils – Hurricane Danny will bring rain and revive Mosquitoes

SERHA and the MOH are also distributing Mesh covers for 45-55 gallon drums to parish councils as explained in the article “Mesh Drum Covers To Control Mosquito Breeding”, published Thursday July 30, 2015 by Jannille Malcolm, The Jamaica Gleaner to allow for the collection of rainwater while preventing the Aedes Aegypti Mosquito.

This all seems a little too coincidental, as Tropical Storm Danny has now become a Category 1 Hurricane, the fourth in the otherwise slow 2015 Atlantic Hurricane season as announced in the article “JUST IN: Tropical Storm Danny Upgraded To First Hurricane Of The 2015 Season”, Published Thursday August 20, 2015, The Jamaica Gleaner.  

According to the National Hurricane Centre in Miami, Hurricane Danny is expected to strengthen in the next forty eight (48) hours as it continues on a West by North Westerly pathway crawling along at a speed of 19.31 km/h (12 mph).

Currently it's located 1770 km (1100 miles) east of the Windward Islands and is packing winds of 120 km/h (75 mph), typical of a Category 1 Hurricane as explained in “Tropical Storm Danny to become hurricane tomorrow”, published Thursday, August 20, 2015, The Jamaica Observer. 

It’s expected to weaken to a Tropical Strom by the time it reaches the Easter Caribbean by Monday August 24^th 2015. So how is all this bad for Jamaica, especially as we need rainfall?

Although it might miss Jamaica, we will STILL get a lot of rain. That'll be enough to resuscitate the dormant Aedes Aegypti Mosquito larvae, sparking a possible outbreak of Dengue Fever.

If during that week someone from the Dominica Republic, Haiti or Brazil with the Zika Virus in their blood travels to Jamaica and is bitten by an Aedes Aegypti Mosquito, we might also be looking on a full-blown Zika Virus infection by October 2015.

Jamaicans, be prepared as Monday August 24^th 2015 is coming!