As the virus sweeps through the hemisphere, Puerto Rico has become America’s own front line in the battle against it – home to 3.5 million USA citizens and with a tropical landscape that is an ideal breeding ground for the mosquito that spreads Zika, as well as the dengue and chikungunya already common here.
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What are the symptoms of Zika?
Most cases of zika are undetectable or cause mild symptoms such as low fever or joint pain but there are fears it is connected to the birth defect microcephaly. It is not known whether women can transmit the virus to sexual partners. If you are pregnant, avoid travel to Zika outbreak areas. The virus, which has been linked to congenital defects in babies born to infected pregnant women, was found in a couple in the Paris area, according to media reports. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its travel advisory on Friday, stating that women now at any stage of pregnancy or planning to get pregnant over the coming weeks should “consider not going to the Olympics”. CDC researchers in Brazil and Puerto Rico are trying to determine whether the virus can cause microcephaly, a condition in which babies are born with abnormally small heads, and a rare paralyzing condition, Guillain-Barre, which can be fatal. Sexual transmission is another concern for pregnant women. The recommendation also extends to pregnant womens partners who must travel to the Brazil Olympics, advising them to use condoms throughout the pregnancy after their return. The CDC has issued travel alerts to more than two dozen countries including Brazil, Colombia for two dozen countries and territories where Zika has been present, including in Brazil, El Salvador and Colombia, among others.
First it is important to note that the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is not local to Ohio. “How is the CDC working with EPA and others to ensure that pesticide products are registered and available for use as tools in addressing this public health situation?” They are also urged to strictly follow the steps for preventing mosquito bites during the trip, including better skin coverage, staying in screened or air-conditioned rooms and using a bed net when exposed to the outdoors.
Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
The IOC has expressed confidence in measures being taken against the virus in Brazil – spraying and removing standing water – and is following the advice of the World Health Organization.
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Out of respect for privacy, the department is unable to provide any information on the details of individual cases.
