KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Health has advised women to delay becoming pregnant for the next six to 12 months and those already pregnant to take extra precaution to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes given the possible link between zika virus infection and microcephaly.

Microcephaly is an abnormal growth of the brain and stunting of the growth of the head of the foetus arising from infection in the first months of pregnancy. Babies who develop microcephaly in the womb may not live to full term, may be born prematurely, may be still born or may survive but with life-long disability.  

Minister of Health Horace Dalley says that although there is no absolute proof, the evidence from Brazil and the information from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and other technical partners is strong enough for the Ministry to take this position in seeking to prevent any possible adverse outcome to pregnant women.

“The zika virus is inching closer and closer to Jamaica as several of our Caribbean neighbours have reported cases. Women are therefore being advised to delay pregnancy if possible. Those already pregnant must take action to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes as the unborn baby is at high risk if the mother is infected in the first few months of pregnancy,” Dalley advises.

Dalley is calling on every citizen to play their part in taking the necessary steps to rid their communities of the Aedes aegypti mosquito which transmits the zika virus.