The first case of Zika was detected in Mayotte, a French overseas department, according to a announcement from the Mayotte Regional Health Agency, claiming that the island does not yet know “any indigenous cases”. The person contracted the disease during a trip to a contaminated area. The patient was taken care of the day after his arrival and protective measures were put in place to avoid contamination.
Avoid the spread
“In view of the numerous and regular exchanges of people between Mayotte and the territories affected by an epidemic, and in particular in the West Indies and Guyana, cases of zika from these areas could still be reported. All doctors have received specific information, ”explains the agency in a press release.
All of the territory’s health professionals have been informed of the specific measures to be taken and vector control interventions have been implemented in the environment and in the relatives of the infected person. “In addition to the treatments carried out, the inhabitants of these areas have also been made aware and encouraged to implement preventive measures aimed at reducing the appearance of new contaminations (elimination of breeding sites and protection against bites)”, recalls the communicated.
The health authorities have called on the population to “the regular elimination by all of the breeding sites in their environment (empty the saucers, check the flow of the gutters, respect the days for waste collection, empty the small containers,… )”.
The Zika virus attacks the brains of children and adults
This virus is responsible for many cases of microcephaly in newborns, and is thought to be linked to joint deformities in infants. It is therefore recommended that pregnant women avoid contaminated areas and avoid any unprotected sexual intercourse with a man who has been exposed to the Zika virus for a period of 6 months.
Corn the virus is also linked to adult brain malformations : an 81-year-old man was treated for meningoencephalitis, a severe inflammation of the brain and meninges.
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