Caribbean: Risk of contracting Zika virus currently low

Event

According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the risk of contracting the Zika virus in the Caribbean region has fallen significantly in recent months and is now considered to be low. Case rates of the disease, detected in the region for the first time ever in late 2015, spiked in summer 2016 before falling sharply in 2017-2018. No confirmed cases have been detected over the past 12 months.

It should be noted that other mosquito-borne disease are present in the region, including dengue fever and chikungunya.

Advice

Individuals in CARPHA member states are advised to continue to take measures to prevent mosquito bites (e.g. use insect repellent, sleep in screen-in or air conditioned rooms, etc.).