Study on Maltese mosquitoes to assess Zika threat

The government and the University will carry out a study on mosquitoes in Malta to ascertain that none of them are infected with the Zika virus.

Delivering a ministerial statement, parliamentary secretary for health Chris Fearne said that there is no indication that the tiger mosquitoes in Malta are infected but that government will take all necessary precautions.

He also said that an inter-ministerial committee set up to monitor the Zika virus has recommended him to map the islands of Malta and Gozo to identify places where the Asian tiger mosquito can hatch.

The Health Department will develop informative posters and leaflets on how to prevent mosquitos from entering houses, and about what precautions to take if they do.

Notices will be placed at the airport and ports with advice to people travelling to one of the Zika-affected countries.

People returning from Zika-affected countries are advised to call a doctor if they develop any symptoms within two weeks of arrival. A notice will be published in tomorrow’s Government Gazette that will render it mandatory for those people who develop symptoms within two weeks of arrival to undergo a Zika test.

The Health Department also recommends that everyone returning from a Zika-affected country to use insect repellant for up to two weeks.

People returning to Malta from Zika-affected countries are advised to use contraception for up to 28 days if they don’t develop any symptoms, and for up to six months if they do contract and later recover from the virus.