The Bahamas Ministry of Health has confirmed one case of the Zika virus in the Pinewood Gardens area of southern Nassau, The Bahamas, noting that the single documented case was contracted outside of the country.

Minister of Health Dr. Perry Gomez said the patient, a Bahamian man, contracted the virus during a recent visit abroad. Bahamian health officials confirm that no locally transmitted cases have been confirmed.

Gomez said a sample was taken from the patient and he tested positive for Zika on August 9. The patient is being monitored by health officials. He added, “The patient has been treated for associated symptoms and is recovering.” 

Deputy Director General in the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Ellison Thompson said the health and safety of visitors to the country remains a high priority. To date, no visitors to The Bahamas have been infected.

“We are working with local health officials and our industry partners to ensure that every effort is made to monitor the virus and to mitigate the possibility of further cases,” he said.

Among those initiatives is the Tourism and Health Safety Program, which was recently launched in hotels in The Bahamas.

The program aims to monitor guests and provide information to those who feel they may have symptoms of any illness.

Gomez said heighted surveillance activities for the Zika virus continue and that the required public health and environmental protocols are being conducted.

Additionally, source reduction and activities to decrease the mosquito population, such as treatment of water sources and fogging are ongoing.

Other activities include conducting Zika educational sessions for public and private health care providers.

Health Officials advise anyone travelling to The Bahamas who feel they may have symptoms of the virus to contact the National Disease Surveillance Unit at +1 242 502-4776, +1 242 502-4790, +1 242 376-3809 or +1 242 376-4705.

For further information please contact:

Media Contact:

Julie Angove Gariba

Tel: +44 1582 762132

Tel: +44 7958 941809

Email: julie@angove.co.uk

Anthony Stuart

Director UK & Europe

Tel: +44 207 355 0800

Tel: +44 7808 060 858

 Mia Weech-Lange

Tel: +1 954-888-1069

Email: mlange@bahamas.com