JEDDAH: A total of 853 pregnant women were tested for Zika virus as a precautionary measure in health centers across Jeddah during the last month and nobody tested positive, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has said.
The Ministry of Agriculture has also intensified its efforts to fight the spread of mosquitoes that carry the disease, local media reported on Tuesday.
Dr. Khalid Obaid Bawaked, assistant director of Public Health Department in Jeddah, was quoted as saying that the MoH has listed the Zika virus among top health priorities. “The Zika and dengue viruses are spread by the Aedis mosquito species, especially during the period that follows the rainy season.”
He said the ministry will intensify awareness campaigns in cooperation with Jeddah governorate and National Water Company to warn citizens against leaving clean water uncovered because the Aedis mosquitoes thrive in still water.
Dr. Rifaat Al-Mustafa, a consultant gynecologist, said pregnant women affected by the Zika virus show symptoms of fever, nausea, headache, pain in the joints, inflammation in the eyes disruption in the digestive system.
The Ministry of Agriculture has, meanwhile, approved 11 preventive procedures. Dr. Ali bin Saeed Al-Srar said the ministry is following up on the spread of the Zika virus in Africa and the Americas.
He said the Kingdom has not yet registered any Zika case, but precautions should be taken to fight the mosquitoes that carry this virus.
Arab News
