Public invited to take part in free zika sero-prevalence study on August 5

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GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – On Saturday, August 5 the Collective Prevention Service (CPS) and the American University of the Caribbean (AUC) in collaboration with St. Maarten Laboratory Services (SLS), are inviting the public to a zika sero-prevalence study screening.

AUC medical students will draw blood during the screening which will be carried out between 9.00am to 3.00pm. The screening is free and there is no need to register.  Come out and get tested.

The screening will take place at the Vineyard Office Park Building in Philipsburg at the CPS, a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA).

Persons will be assisted in completing a short questionnaire and consent form and then guided to draw blood which will be later analyzed by AUC and SLS.  The participant’s results will be forwarded to their respective family physician.

The study is being carried out to assess zika prevalence in the country.

The study started at the Lion’s Club Fair in March.  It is a replica of the sero-prevalence study that was done with mosquito vector-borne disease chikungunya.

For additional information you can call CPS at 542-3003 or 542-2078.