On November 19th 2016, following a meeting of its Emergency Committee (EC) on Zika, the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded that Zika and its associated consequences no longer present a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), but said that it would continue to work on the outbreak through a “robust program”.
According to a WHO official, this latest development is not a downgrading of the importance of Zika, but a shift to longer-term programming thereby sending the message that Zika is here to stay and the WHO’s response is here to stay in a very robust manner. WHO emphasizes that Zika remains a significant enduring public health challenge requiring intense action.
The Ministry of Health, Anguilla, would like to impress upon the general public that controlling the spread of Zika remains a priority. Zika and the other diseases caused by the Aedes mosquito remain not only a significant public health threat, but also a threat to commerce and tourism in Anguilla. Samples continue to be sent for testing for individuals with symptoms compatible with Zika infection. These symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis (red eyes), muscle pain and headache.
The Ministry of Health needs the continued cooperation of members of the general public to reduce further transmission of Zika. This relies mainly on eliminating the mosquito breeding sites and reducing contact between mosquitoes and people.
Members of the public are once again urged to utilize the free bulky waste removal service offered by the Environmental Health Unit of the Department of Health Protection. This includes removal of derelict vehicles. For assistance accessing this service please call the Environmental Health Unit at 497 2631 or 497 5485. Every individual must do his/her part for it is only through the collective action that we will be able to prevent the spread of Zika and the other mosquito-borne diseases.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
