KINGSTON, Jamaica — While acknowledging that the Ministry of Health is taking a “proactive” approach to the Zika virus (ZIKV), Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation representative in Jamaica Dr Noreen Jack on Thursday implored Jamaicans to protect themselves.

Speaking at a National Training Seminar for senior health staff now under way at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, Dr Jack stressed that the Zika virus is an emerging disease and that all those involved are learning as they go along.

“The Ministry of Health here is preparing, but I also want to reach out and declare that persons need to have their personal protections … in how they protect themselves, but also how the community protects itself,” she said, adding that collective action is required.

Dr Jack said PAHO is working closely with all its member states in relation to the mosquito-borne disease.

“The alerts are coming fast and maybe furious because as soon as we learn something new, it is being transmitted to the whole Americas, because we are all learning together and therefore this is a very fluid situation that will change over a matter of days and months,” Dr Jack told senior members of the health sector from across the island.

Underscoring Dr Jacks’ points on the fluidity of the virus, Chief Medical Officer Marion Bullock DuCasse said what is now unfolding with Zika virus “is not something that is written in any text book”.

She therefore urged the group of health care professionals to realise that the information being provided on Thursday would be amended as soon as additional information is forthcoming from PAHO, WHO and the Caribbean Public Health Agency.

The training seminar is to update the senior health team on the health sector’s preparedness and response to the Zika virus.

Anika Richards