Peru reports locally transmitted Zika infections
Just a month after Peruvian health officials reported a sexually transmitted case of Zika virus infection in Lima, The Ministry of Health (MoH) is reporting this week three indigenous cases.
Image/CIA
The cases, two from Yurimaguas in Loreto region and one from Jaen in Cajamarca region, are receiving the necessary attention of both regional governments of Cajamarca and Loreto, according to a MINSA report Monday (computer translated).
The patients are being treated and tests on people who live nearby have been negative, according to Health Minister Anibal Velasquez .
In addition, the minister announced that intensified surveillance for microcephaly is ongoing throughout the country, especially in the affected areas of the north.
“A system has been put in place where every child that is born will have on their registration card measurements of head circumference, and evaluating possible cases of microcephaly” , she said.
MINSA and regional governments sprayed around 42,000 homes in areas with positive cases.
To date, Peru has reported 4 locally acquired cases (including the sexual transmission case), three others under investigation and nine imported cases from Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil and Ecuador.
