Dr. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health - file photo
Jamaica will shortly be participating in a number of clinical trials in the drive to find a vaccine to treat the Zika virus (ZIKV).
Dr. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health, made the disclosure Thursday night, while addressing a Ministry of Health/Southern Regional Health Authority Town Hall Meeting in St. Elizabeth.
He said Jamaica’s participation forms part of an international study. The clinical trials are supported by the World Health Organization.
The Minister pointed out that the vaccine could become available within a year, but in the meantime, more persons and countries will be affected by the mosquito-borne virus.
He added that once the virus gets to its second phase, less people will be affected.
Dr. Tufton told the meeting that the island is among 65 countries fighting ZIKV and the virus will continue to spread for a while.
Jamaica has recorded 44 confirmed cases of the Zika virus, while there are more than 3,000 suspected cases.
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