Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said yesterday that "we have to be concerned" about the way the local tourism industry may be impacted, given the recent announcement of the first recorded case of Zika virus infection in The Bahamas.
"We have to have concern, because we have seen the impact of the Zika virus and we've heard reports of situations in Florida," Wilchcombe told reporters on Wednesday. "We saw when there was some impact on the tourist arrivals there. We have to be concerned."
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a travel advisory urging pregnant women not to travel to South Florida, after the state announced on July 29 that there were 14 people found to be infected with the Zika virus, some of whom "likely contracted it from local mosquitoes".
It is the first time the agency issued a warning against the U.S.
Public Health England also increased the risk designation for Florida from low to medium and urged pregnant women to "consider postponing nonessential travel to affected areas until after pregnancy".
There have been fears that the warnings will "dampen" Florida's tourism industry which brings in approximately $82 billion per year.
As tourism is the top industry in The Bahamas, there have been concerns that confirmed cases could have an adverse impact on the country's economy.
When asked if he is concerned about possible negative advisories or a decrease in visitors, Wilchcombe said, "We'll have to see. Of course, you know the United States just went through the same situation in Florida, and I think they understand," he said.
"The world is very educated and very sophisticated. People traveling are going to search out where they are going.
"They're gong to seek out information to find out what's happening. They will look at what's going on in our country.
"They will see the numbers and they'll know that it is just one case at the present time. They'll see what the trends are and how we're managing the situation. That would help them make the decision to either consider The Bahamas, continue on the trip planned to The Bahamas or come to The Bahamas another time."
The tourism minister said his ministry will "intensify its communications to various markets to make sure the wolves are aware that we are handling the situation, that it is being properly monitored and to ensure that at the end of it all, they know that The Bahamas is still a safe and healthy place to come."
He continued: "But in all circumstances, we are confident in the Ministry of Health, and we know that the Ministry of Health is doing what they must do in order to manage the situation understanding all that is concerned."
The first reported case in The Bahamas was discovered on Tuesday and occurred in an adult male resident of Pinewood, who recently traveled to Jamaica.
Health officials are advising all in The Bahamas to be precautious.
Zika virus is transmitted primarily by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. There is no specific treatment or vaccine available for Zika virus infection. It can also be transmitted sexually.
Jayme C. Pinder, Guardian Staff Reporter
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