Chile reports its first 3 confirmed Zika cases

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The Latest: Chile reports its first 3 confirmed Zika cases

 

Feb. 2, 2016 7:32 PM EST

 

 

 

 

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Paraguay Army soldiers clean the backyard of a hospital in an Aedes aegypti mosquito control... Read more

 

 

PARIS (AP) — The Latest on the battle against the Zika virus (all times local):

1:30 a.m.

Hours after reporting Chile's first confirmed Zika infection, Chilean authorities have listed two more cases from the virus that is spreading rapidly in Latin America.

 

The Chilean Health Ministry says all three Zika cases reported Tuesday were contracted outside Chile. It says one person was infected while traveling in Venezuela, one in Colombia and one in Brazil. All are recovering.

Chile doesn't have infestations of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can carry such diseases as Zika, dengue and chikungunya.

The World Health Organization says Zika is likely to spread to every country in the Americas where the Aedes aegypti is found. That is every nation but Canada and Chile.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/52f57f3f5e0f48f5a9469acad6318faf/latest-4th-case-zika-identified-spain

Edited February 3, 2016 by Admin

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February 2, 2016

Health Ministry confirms three imported cases of Zika virus infection

Santiago, 02 February 2016.- The Ministry of Health confirmed the existence of three cases imported by Zika virus. This is a man of 28 who traveled to Colombia; another of the same age who visited Venezuela and one of 35 who was in Brazil.

This was announced by Health Minister (s), Gisela Alarcon, and Undersecretary of Public Health (s), Bernardo Martorell, noting that the existence of imported cases in Chile Continental presents no risk of spreading the disease.

"Despite this confirmation of cases, this does not pose a risk to the health of the population, as in Chile Continental there is no presence of the mosquito that transmits the disease," said the deputy minister.

He added that, as pointed out by the Ministry of Health, "to the extent that there is great movement of people in the affected areas, it is possible that new cases arise imported into the country."

About the protocols adopted, the authority said no change given indications. "In the case of Easter Island, the only place in Chile where the vector that causes the disease is present, we are delivering information repellent and all measures to protect those who visit the place," he said Secretary (s) Public health.

Additional constantly it is working with local authorities in implementing the system of epidemiological surveillance and vector control. To complement this work, a work team composed of Governor of the Region of Valparaiso, Gabriel Aldoney, professionals from the Health Authority and Health Service East you will move tomorrow.

Recall that the Minister of Health, Carmen Castillo, is in Uruguay and this afternoon held a meeting with his counterpart, Jorge Basso. Tomorrow, together with the Ministers of Health of MERCOSUR, coordinate regional actions against the Zika virus.

Recommendations for the population
The World Health Organization declared the disease Zika "Public Health Emergency of International Importance" virus.

The main preventive measure is to control and prevent the insect sting. Therefore, it is important prior to a trip to tropical or subtropical information, if there is the presence of the mosquito Aedes or if there have been cases of diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya or Zika virus. If so, we recommend taking the following measures:

- Wear light-colored clothing that covers most of the body; 
- Avoid sun exposure during the period of greatest mosquito activity, that is during the early hours of the morning and evening, or caution; 
- Use repellents the exposed areas (30 percent active ingredient DEET or picaridin), according to product instructions; 
- Use air conditioning or mosquito netting when sleeping. Failing that, keep windows and doors with screens to prevent mosquito access.

Recommendations for pregnant women:
According to WHO recommendations, pregnant women should avoid unnecessary travel to areas of Zika virus circulation.

In case of an urgent travel to areas with Zika virus circulation it is recommended:

- Consult your doctor about the risks; 
- Practice good environmental and individual prevention, to avoid being bitten by Aedes mosquitoes.

There is no evidence of restriction of use of repellents on pregnant; however, they should be used as directed by the product.

If it comes from an affected country and have any of the disease symptoms (fever, red spots on the skin and muscle pain), the recommendation is to call the Health Responds 600 360 7777 or go to a hospital.

More information: www.minsal.cl/virus-zika

http://web.minsal.cl/ministerio-de-salud-confirma-3-casos-importados-de-infeccion-por-virus-zika/