Puerto Rico freezes condom prices to prevent Zika profiteering

comments     Bernama-NNN-CaribbeanNews     Published     Updated

To help prevent the spread of the Zika virus in Puerto Rico, government officials on the island have declared condom price-gouging illegal.

In early February, during a media briefing at the governor’s mansion, Puerto Rico’s Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs (Daco), Nery Adames Soto, announced his agency has added prophylactics to the price-freeze list. Stores on the island also aren’t allowed by Daco to raise the price on mosquito repellent, window screens, larvicides and other mosquito-killing products.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showed that as of Feb 19 there were nine cases of Zika reported on Puerto Rico, a US territory. Eight of them were locally acquired and one was associated with travel. Public health officials have reported more than 60 Zika cases in Puerto Rico, including three pregnant women.

Daco’s Adames ordered the price freeze on condoms because of growing concerns that someone can pass the Zika virus to another person through sexual contact. He’s worried the virus can quickly spread to other municipalities.

He added, people should visit the Daco website or Facebook page and file a report if they come across a business that has violated his executive order.

“Every local store, gas station or business that sells these items must know that Daco will be knocking on your doors and closely monitoring this, allowing the citizens to protect themselves adequately because now is not the time to raise prices.”

Store owners may be fined up to US$10,000 for each price-gouging violation.

A box of three condoms ranges in price from US$3.99 to US$5.99.

The first reported cases of infection were centered on the north-eastern part of the island and near San Juan. But there are now confirmed cases appearing in the southern coast and parts of the interior, a sign the virus may continue to spread to other regions the upcoming months.

In early February, Puerto Rico’s governor declared a public health emergency on the island.

The rapid spread of Zika coupled with public health messages about sexual transmission may have an economic impact on specialty stores like Condom World - despite a condom price freeze. The island is already starting to see a decline in sales and tourism in other areas of the commonwealth.

- Bernama-NNN-CaribbeanNews



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