KINGSTON, Jamaica – Leader of the Opposition Portia Simpson Miller has written to Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressing concern about the effect of the Zika virus on the country, especially the impact on pregnant women and unborn babies.

 “I am particularly concerned about recent data showing that there are over 200 pregnant women in Jamaica who fit the Zika case profile, yet there are only five positive test results,” Simpson Miller said in a release.

The Opposition leader said that while she noted the statements from the Ministry of Health about the monitoring of these women, it was of grave concern that many pregnant women are complaining of not getting the results of their blood tests.

“With 40,000 births on average per year, it would be gross negligence to ignore the potential explosion of microcephaly cases in the upcoming high birth season and not put in place measures to address the medical and social needs of these pregnant women and their newborns,” Simpson Miller said.

The Opposition leader joined opposition spokesman on health Horace Dalley in calling for measures to be put in place for at-risk mothers and babies born with microcephaly.

Among the measures Simpson Miller urged was the immediate upgrade of at least one neonatal facility to deal with microcephaly cases and upgrading the virology lab at the University of the West Indies.

Simpson Miller, in her letter, told the Prime Minister that as this is a new disease and information about its effects continues to unfold gradually, the number of children likely to be born with microcephaly cannot be predicted.

“Let us therefore err on the side of caution and institute proactive programmes to address the potential public health crisis that might occur,” she said.