No position taken by Health Ministry in relation to pregnancy and Zika Virus

The Health Ministry is not taking a definitive position in relation to the warning of  women in Jamaica not to get pregnant because of  the significant risk posed by the Zika Virus.

This position has been adopted by countries such as Brazil, but the Jamaican authorities are stressing that this is not something that they intend to do at this time. 

The Zika virus has been causing increased anxiety in the Caribbean and Latin America, due to its rising numbers and the serious nature of  its symptoms.       

Brazil took the step of  advising women not to get pregnant at this time, because the virus could cause serious birth defects.

Dr Marion Bullock Ducasse, Jamaica's Chief Medical Officer (CMO),  speaking on RJR's Beyond the Headlines, on Monday, said Jamaica is currently engaged in research and consultations with other countries, so no position will be taken until this is complete.

"At this time, we're saying to them, just avoid the mosquito bite, and we will let you know of the result of our considerations with the experts, who are in Brazil, and also those at the PAHO and WHO," she said.

When pressed on the matter of whether it would not be appropriate to advise against getting pregnant at this time, as a precautionary measure, Dr. Bullock Ducasse reiterated "that is not our specific recommendation now; I have given the recommendation... which are (sic) to avoid the mosquito bite, and we will provide additional recommendations, based on our assessment."

The CMO also sought to address concerns about when the virus is expected to surface in Jamaica. This is in the context where 14 countries in the Americas have reported local transmission. She noted that no country can say when however the chances are greater with the wider spread in the region.

"With the spread into the Caribbean, we are seeing cases reported in Martinique; we are seeing cases reported in other areas such as Panama; all of these areas where we have specific travel and we have trade with them and frequent movement of persons," she said.

She added that the Jamaican authorities were closely monitoring citizens returning home from vacation in other countries.

"As each country in the region sees transmission, then the chances of Jamaica seeing transmissions are greater," she conceded.