Govt says it remains awake to reality of Zika

Government says it remains awake to the reality of the Zika virus and its broadening geographical distribution in the recent past.

Ministry of Health Acting Spokesperson Dr. Tasila Pitters says Zambia is however, not on the list of countries in the categories of autochthonous transmission, Indication of viral circulation, Countries/territories/ areas with outbreaks terminated or locally acquired without vector borne transmission.

Dr. Pitters says therefore, members of the public should not panic but ensure preventive measures are adhered to.

She explains that ZIKA virus is transmitted to people through a bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito found in the tropical region.
She furthermore explains that the same mosquito is also responsible for the transmission of other diseases like dengue, Chikungunya and Yellow Fever.

Dr. Pitters has encouraged members of the public to avoid stagnant water which is breeding ground for mosquitoes and that people should sleep under Insecticide Treated Nets and/or use mosquito repellants to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

She says the Ministry of Health maintains the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on Alert and Response Operations and that the Ministry is monitoring and tracking the evolving Zika disease global situation.