Georgetown: Four pregnant women have been diagnosed with the Zika virus. This has been confirmed by Chief Medical Officer (ag) Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle, who has given assurances that there is no reason for alarm. This, she said, is due to the fact that the Ministry is using developed guidelines to deal with such cases.
There are a number of complications that have been linked to the mosquito-transmitted Zika virus including microcephaly. Microcephaly is recognised by an abnormal smallness of the head of a child born to a Zika-infected woman. There have been a number of microcephaly cases reported in Brazil, Guyana’s neighbour to the south.
According to information reaching this publication, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad, confirmed that among a batch of blood samples sent to be tested for the virus, 26 were positive. Of the 26, four were samples taken from pregnant women.
One of the women, this publication understands, has since had a miscarriage and at least one has given birth to a normal baby, but continued efforts are being made to monitor both mother and child. Reports suggest that a third woman has since failed to avail herself for monitoring, while the fourth pregnancy continues to be closely monitored.
According to Dr. Gordon-Boyle, once a pregnant woman is diagnosed with the virus, she is first counselled and information about the virus is shared with her. The acting CMO made it clear that having been made aware of the possible complications, “the option is entirely hers (the pregnant woman) if she chooses to proceed with the pregnancy or not.”
Part of the guidelines for monitoring infected pregnant women includes monthly ultrasounds to ascertain whether the foetus is developing normally. Dr. Gordon-Boyle made it clear, however, that although not all infected pregnant women will deliver babies with microcephaly; efforts are made throughout the pregnancy to “look for any signs of deviations from a normal pregnancy.”
Thus far, there have been no reports to suggest that there has been an abnormal pregnancy linked to the Zika virus. For this reason, Dr. Gordon-Boyle emphasised her “no reason for alarm” stance.
“We are managing and providing information,” said Dr. Gordon-Boyle, as she pointed out that despite the concerns associated with the virus, the Ministry of Public Health has not issued an ‘avoid getting pregnant now’ advisory. “We are not going to be that radical,” said the acting CMO, who stressed that if a woman opts to become pregnant now it is her prerogative and the Ministry will continue to render its support.
Since the spread of the Zika virus was reported, a number of territories including Jamaica, El Salvador, Colombia and Ecuador have called on women to delay pregnancies. This is not only because the virus has been linked to microcephaly, but because of the fact, that it has been proven that the virus can be transmitted sexually.
Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton while noting that his Ministry has issued no directive to delay pregnancy, did emphasise that “persons should take into consideration whether it is the best time to make (conceive) their children now.”
The virus is transmitted by Aedes-type mosquitoes which also transmit Chikungunya and dengue. There is no cure for the virus, but treatment is made available for the symptoms manifested. Symptoms can include fever, rash, joint or muscle pain, headache or conjunctivitis (pink eye).
According to Minister Norton, while the Ministry will continue its fight against the transmitting vector in terms of fumigation activities, efforts at sensitising the public about measures that should be in place to prevent transmission of the virus will remain a constant feature as well.
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