On Saturday, 23 January 2016 the Ministry of Public Health confirmed that the zika virus had arrived in the country, with 10 cases that have been confirmed as positive for the virus.
Minister for Public Health Altagracia Guzman Marcelino said that the cases had been confirmed in the National District, the municipality of Santo Domingo North, Barahona and Jimani. Those affected by the virus are between the ages of 15 and 57 and two children under the age of five.
The Minister said that blood samples were taken from 27 suspected cases and sent to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, United States and ten were confirmed as positive.
She said that none of those infected had been hospitalized as the disease can be treated at home.
The government has stepped up preventive measures including mosquito eradication education mainly for eliminating standing water that can be breeding grounds for the insects.
Confirman presencia del Zika Virus en RD; 10 casos dieron positivo
