New Hampshire health officials said Thursday that the two species of mosquitoes that carry Zika virus are not in the Granite State, but that the state plans to start testing for them in case they arrive.
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A mother who contracted the Zika virus gave birth inside a Bay Area delivery room and the baby has Zika-related birth defects.
As the LA Times reports, Los Angeles County and San Diego County have both recorded the most cases thus far, with 24 and 23 respectively.
Concern over the virus has prompted many pregnant women to spend hundreds of dollars in mosquito protection efforts.
According to Karen Smith, the state’s health officer, about 100 infants are born with microcephaly in California every year.
As of last Friday, state health officials confirmed 114 travel-associated Zika virus infections in 22 counties.
In a release from Texas Medicaid officials, the department said it will cover two cans of mosquito repellent per month for women between the ages of 10 and 45 or who are pregnant as a way to combat the Zika virus.
It is the first Zika infection in Tulare County.
Funds will also be used to educate health care providers and the public about the symptoms and risks of the disease. Nancy Tipps, clinical services director for the county health department, suggested signs or leaflets at the airport and at local ob-gyn offices.
Zika is most commonly spread by tropical Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
The insect is related to the Asian tiger mosquito, which is also active in the region.
Although death is rare, 1 out of 5 people infected with the Zika virus can become very ill, according to the CDC. He said there appeared to be 15 to 20 cases of people who acquired Zika from mosquitos in south Florida.
The virus circulates about seven days. There is now no vaccine or cure.
That could mean that, at least in some areas, the growth of Zika could be exponential.
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“We continue to stress the importance of preventive measures”, she said.
