WHO suppresses Caribbean Zika alert

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) announced that the World Health Organization (WHO) had abolished its Zika virus country clbadification system, which clbadified most of the Caribbean territories as having active transmission of Zika virus.

This suppression by WHO comes shortly after data published by CARPHA, showing that Zika virus transmission in the Caribbean had been interrupted for more than 12 months or had reached an undetectable level, posing a very low risk for residents and visitors to the site. Region.

This was corroborated by data shared with CARPHA by Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States of America, which showed that no Zika had been detected for more than 12 months in travelers returning from the Caribbean to their home countries.

Caricom used this evidence to send a letter to the Director-General of WHO calling for the immediate reclbadification of Carpha's Member States from Category 1 (active Zika virus transmission) to Category 3 (no transmission of the disease). Zika virus), arguing that the clbadification system was now outdated. its useful purpose.

Dr. James Hospedales, Executive Director of CARPHA, explained that the Zika clbadification not only had a negative impact on the Caribbean, but that it was also contrary to the principles of the International Health Regulations (IHR).

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) confirmed the negative impact of this intervention and formally requested CARPHA to intervene.

Hospedales said, "The Caribbean is the world's most dependent region of tourism. It is also one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world and cancellations in progress due to the ranking of most Caribbean countries, category 1 unnecessarily affecting the area. Therefore, CARPHA felt compelled to provide evidence and advocate for the removal of this WHO Zika clbadification system. "

CARPHA is the only regional public health agency and is committed to continuing to work with its member states to ensure that the Caribbean is able to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats affecting the region.