KINGSTON, Jamaica — Senior members of the health sector from across the island are now gathered at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston for a training seminar on the Zika virus.

The seminar, which got under way a short while ago, will provide the senior health team with an update on the health sector’s preparedness and response to the virus, which was recently detected in the Caribbean region.

The virus, however, is not in Jamaica, according to the Health Ministry.

Chief Medical Officer Marion Bullock DuCasse welcomed the team and expressed how happy she was about the turnout and that each parish was represented.

The training seminar, which will continue into the afternoon, is seeking to update the health team on the current situation with Zika virus infection globally and regionally. The seminar is also to provide guidance on the management of the Zika virus, including clinical management and epidemiological surveillance, for rapid response and outbreak.

The team will also review the Ministry of Health’s outbreak preparedness and response strategies and key activities.

Anika Richards