Antigua and Barbuda has recorded its first case of infection by the Zika virus.
According to the ABS TV, Minister of Health, the Hon. Molwyn Joseph has announced that laboratory tests carried out by the Caribbean Public Health Agency, (CARPHA), confirm the case.
Infected is an adult female of child-bearing age from Grays Farm, who reportedly contracted the disease in April. According to Minister Joseph, health officials believe that the virus was contracted during recent overseas travel to the Dominican Republic.
Zika is a viral illness similar in presentation to Dengue Fever and Chikungunya, which are all transmitted by the Aedes species of mosquito.
Zika is a strange disease – whereas 4 out of every 5 cases may not show symptoms, there have been cases of children born with abnormally small heads and small brains, as well as symptoms such as muscle weakness and paralysis emerging during the Zika outbreak in countries such as Brazil, leading to concerns regarding a possible association among these conditions.
