KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton today confirmed that three additional cases of Zika virus have been confirmed in Jamaica.

He was speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Health in New Kingston, which was arranged this afternoon to update the the media on the Ministry of Health’s activities concerning the Zika virus.

The number of confirmed Zika cases in Jamaica now stands at four, after the first case was confirmed on January 29. That patient, a child from Portmore, St Catherine, has since recovered.

Dr Tufton said two of the cases were confirmed yesterday by the upgraded Virology Lab at the University Hospital of the West Indies, which recently began testing for the virus.

The third case was confirmed today by the Trinidad-based Caribbean Regional Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

Two of the Zika cases were confirmed in patients from Greater Portmore, St Catherine, another in a patient from Christian Meadows, also in St Catherine, while the fourth case is a patent from Lyssons.

The Minister of Health said teams are conducting fever surveillance and fogging activities in communities. He said, however, that it is likely that more cases will be identified.

“Once the virus exists and carriers are around, it is likely we will be infected,” Dr Tufton said. “Do what is right to ensure you aren’t infected, and if you are, see a doctor.”

Kimberley Hibbert