Dr. Winston De La Haye, Acting Chief Medical Officer in the Health Ministry - file photo
In the wake of the establishment of the Virology Laboratory at the University of the West Indies, Mona, to test for the Zika virus, other countries in the region are considering sending samples to Jamaica for testing.
This was disclosed by Acting Chief Medical Officer in the Health Ministry, Dr. Winston De La Haye.
Jamaica is considering the request from one Caribbean country.
The Virology Laboratory received international approval to test for Zika virus and other mosquito borne diseases last month.
Jamaica previously sent samples to the Caribbean Public Health Agency, CARPHA, in Trinidad.
There have been 110 tests carried out at the UWI lab since March 7.
Jamaica has recorded six cases of the Zika virus.
Meanwhile, Dr De La Haye disclosed that Jamaica has received additional chemicals and machines for the vector control programme. He said the Ministry received new fogging machines and chemicals that will be used to do fogging "every night for three nights per week, for three weeks in a row."
Additionally, with the flu season coming to a close, Dr De La Haye said the authorities are hoping for a reduction in the spread of viruses such as H1N1.
Seven persons, including two medical doctors, have died from complications related to H1N1 so far this year.
There have been 69 confirmed cases in Jamaica.
Dr. De La Haye says vaccines have been distributed to health workers to protect them against the virus.
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