Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Holds Successful Zika Forum

Director General in the Ministry of Tourism Joy Jibrilu said that The Bahamas remains “relatively speaking, a safe zone where all stops have been pulled out to curtail the spread of the Zika virus”.

Jibrilu spoke to industry stakeholders during a Zika Informational Session for Tourism Stakeholders at the British Colonial Hilton on September 5, 2016.

The forum allowed officials from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Tourism and the Department of Environment Health to give updates on the virus and the measures taken to prevent its spread in the country.

The Tourism Director General gave an overview on Zikia and the impact on Tourism. Dr. Merciana Moxey, Senior Medical officer of the Department Public Health Services Surveillance Unit made a presentation “What is Zika,” and Assistant Director of Environmental Health Services Andrew Thompson gave an in depth presentation on all of the preventative measures being taken.

“We have a complete picture of what we’re up against from a tourism standpoint. It is important that we stay focused and keep fear at bay. There is no need to because we have a plan that we implemented prior to the very first case of Zika in The Bahamas,” Jibrilu told a crowded room.

“It is no doubt due to the early implementation of that plan that today we have so few cases of Zika, even though one case of Zika is too many. But today, relatively speaking, The Bahamas remains a safe zone where all stops have been pulled out to curtail the spread of the Zika virus.”

So far there are eight confirmed cases of the virus on the island of New Providence.

Assistant Director in the Department of Environmental Health Services Andrew Thompson said his department has been doing a number of things since January in preparation for Zika, including surveillance, vector control and public education campaigns.

Thompson noted that while fogging is one way to reduce the mosquito population it is only one measure and encouraged attendees to inspect their properties for containers and plants that can collect water and become breeding sites.

Thompson said officials have also conducted inspections at all of the official ports of entry in the country for potential breeding sites and has encouraged officials to monitor the areas.

Health officials pointed out that the eggs laid by an Aedeis aegypti can survive for up to a year without water.

The Zika virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. However, the virus is also spread from mother to baby during pregnancy and during sexual intercourse.

Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health Dr. Glenn Beneby said health officials are hard at work educating the public on Zika prevention methods.

“This is not a singular act, it is a continual process,” he said.

Jibrilu said that the fight to curtail Zika “requires all hands on deck”.

“We hope that when you leave here this morning, we would have brought a heightened awareness of the situation and what our collective role is in preventing the further spread of the virus,” she said.

She added, “From the moment the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus a global health emergency back in February of this year, The Bahamas mounted a united campaign of Zika prevention encompassing all related government ministries and private sector entities.

“There has been a magnificent collaboration among all of our entities to accomplish one mission: to prevent the spread of Zika and to eradicate the Aedes aegypti mosquito.”

Health officials advise anyone travelling to The Bahamas who feel they may have symptoms of the virus to contact the National Disease Surveillance Unit at 502-4776, 502-4790, 376-3809 or 376-4705.

Visitors to The Bahamas receive educational pamphlets about the virus at all ports of entry. The pamphlet includes symptoms, prevention tips and contact information for the Ministry of Health.

Hotels and guest properties throughout The Islands of The Bahamas are also continuing their proactive measures.