People Letting Guard Down on Zika Virus

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Director of Nursing at the Department of Health Margaret Sesepasara believes residents are letting their guard down regarding the Zika virus.

She says this is evident from DOH home visits for the Maternal Child Health Program which she oversees.

Sesepasara applauded north shore villages like Fagasa, Vatia, Alofau, Masausi, Sailele for their cleanliness but is disappointed with some of the larger villages on the west side of the island, e,g, Kokoland, Tafuna and Fagaima areas where piles of trash, overgrown grass, junk vehicles and pother unsightly trash are common.

DOH has emphasized cleanliness  in the fight against Zika, especially getting rid of receptacles where mosquitoes that spread the disease breed.

The latest Zika report from DOH dated yesterday puts the number of suspected Zika cases at 982.

Suspected cases are those which have symptoms of Zika and whom were seen at the LBJ Hospital ER or the community health centers.

Sesepasara says many more people are self treating at home .

The number of confirmed Zika cases according to lab tests conducted in Honolulu is 57.

Of that number 24 are pregnant women.

Sesepasara who works with pregnant women diagnosed with the Zika virus says they are the ones who are the most concerned about the disease and are faithfully keeping all appointments.

DOH and LBJ are monitoring the health of babies born of mothers who were diagnosed with Zika for any signs of microephaly, characterized by a smaller than usual size head of babies.

Seseapara says through well baby clinics and home visits, DOH measures the babies’ heads each month and keeping tracking of their health. She says all are healthy and exhibit no signs of microcephaly.

However research indicates that some infants develop the condition later than others.

She says, “We can all pray that all our babies will be safe from this effect of the Zika virus.”

Sesepasara urges the public to continue following advice on how to protect themselves from the Zika virus.

“Drain containers that collect water and keep your environment clean,  wear long sleeves and long pants to protect against mosquito bites and use repellant that contains Deet.”

Symptoms of the Zika virus include a fever, reddening of the eyes, rash and sore joints.

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