Zika alert was case of sexual transmission
A woman who had Zika virus while pregnant with her 2½-month-old son, who has microcephaly
(CNS): The Cayman Islands remains free of the Zika virus, public health officials said, after a recent suspected case appears to be due to sexual transmission. Dr Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, the acting medical health officer, has explained that a tourist from Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, who had visited Cayman and then later tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus was more than likely infected by her partner, who is from St Maarten, where there is a confirmed Zika outbreak, after the couple visited Grand Cayman together.
Following an investigation into the suspected case, public health officials believe this is a case of sexually transmitted Zika virus and not a transmission here.
“As the case was diagnosed in the Netherlands, it will be reported as an imported case for the Netherlands and not the Cayman Islands. The Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) is fully informed of the details surrounding this investigation and continues to take all the necessary measures to intensify vector control in the area where the couple stayed,” Dr Willams stated. “I want to make it unequivocally clear that as of 7 June 2016, there are no confirmed cases of Zika virus in the Cayman Islands.”
However, he encouraged all residents who have returned from a country where there is an outbreak of the Zika virus or anyone who presents with symptoms such as skin rash, conjunctivitis and fever, to alert their general practitioners.
In this case, the woman, who lives in Holland, had visited the Cayman Islands from 13 April to 18 May. Her partner, who lives in St Maarten, also joined her here for eleven days. During that time he presented with symptoms typical of the Zika virus but did not seek medical attention. The woman’s symptoms, which were mild, appeared around the same time but she did not seek medical attention locally either.
After she travelled back to the Netherlands on 18 May, she became ill again, with Zika symptoms developing a few days later. She then sought medical attention in Amsterdam and tested positive for Zika.
“At this stage, taking into consideration her medical history and the visit from her partner from a country with a confirmed Zika virus outbreak, coupled with the fact that they stayed together for a period of one week after the onset of his symptoms, we conclude that this is a presumptive case of sexually transmitted Zika virus,” said Dr Williams.
He added that while the Zika virus is mainly transmitted through the Aedes aegypti mosquito, other modes of transmission, in particular sexual transmission, have been documented, as in this particular circumstance. Though the numbers are small at this stage, there is strong epidemiological evidence of sexual transmission. All men returning from places where local transmission of Zika virus is known to occur are encouraged to adopt safer sexual practices or consider abstinence for at least four weeks after return.
For further information contact the Public Health Department on 244-2621 or visit the Zika travel guidance website
Category: Health, Medical Health
If they got bitten while here, that mosquito probably laid a bunch of Zika infected eggs near where it bit them. Why are they not recommending people use repellant when the mosquitos are active.
Because these are day time mosquitoes – often they bite you and you don’t even know it until afterwards.
The truth will never be told to the people, another Government influvention cover up, but, we the people are not fools, this place is not Zika virus free, if one person had it, only God knows how much others have it??? Protect your people, speak truth and stop with the lies. We wasn’t born yesterday!!!
The worrying comment in the above is that her symptoms appeared “around the same time” as his did. So according to the above theory he gets bitten and infected in St Maarten, travels to Cayman, infects her, and then they both manifest symptoms at the same time. Surely the timing is also entirely consistent with them both being bitten by a infected mosquito whilst they were here? A mosquito that is interrupted whilst feeding will either re-bite the same person or find the nearest available host.
The best kind
It’s nice that it isn’t here yet, but our luck will eventually run out.
For the sake of everyone’s health, we should all take a few moments to walk and clear our yards as required – do it today.
Bulls**t. Cayman propaganda…again.
You don’t have to be lonely.
Cayman is NOT guaranteed Zika free now because of this case. Irrespective of how the 2 of them contacted it (obviously the BF would have had it to give to her sexually) if either was bitten by a mosquito in Cayman the mosquito then got it from the human. That means they are now able to spread it to other humans and mosquitoes when they breed etc.
This is MUCH more serious than most people understand.
Hmmm, no GM moz in St. Maarten and they have a full blown problem. Time for some in Cayman to re-think their stance on GM free. We need to combat the issue before it’s too late.
How do you have sex with a mosquito?
Carefully?
I thought they were single use. Like chickens.
Was it really “she did not seek medical attention” or she came to Emergency room in Cayman Islands Hospital, saw 4-5 hours long queue and decided that her condition is not serious enough to pay so much for spending half a day in waiting room of the hospital?
How can they possibly know how she contracted it? Seems to me they just want to keep saying that cayman is zika free so are putting this theory out there.
Got to be careful visiting the Caribbean these days, might leave with a permanent reminder of those humid nights.