Reuters said that although research is still underway, significant evidence in Brazil has suggested a link between Zika infections and rising cases of microcephaly, a neurological disorder in which infants are born with smaller craniums and brains.
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The CDC is urging doctors to ask pregant women about their travel history and test those who have travelled to regions where Zika is active who report symptoms within two weeks of travel. “With the recent outbreaks in the Americas, the number of Zika virus disease cases among travelers visiting or returning to the United States likely will increase”, the travel alert reads.
The mosquito that carries the Zika virus resides in warm climates in Latin America and the Caribbean but they still pose a threat to those living in the U.S. The South American nation of Brazil documented more than 3,500 cases of microcephaly since October past year.
A warning recently went out for pregnant women to stay away from certain countries because of a virus outbreak.
Locally acquired Zika was reported for the first time in Brazil in May 2015, and the virus has since been reported in 14 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico.
There is no vaccine or medication to prevent or cure Zika virus infection, or to prevent microcephaly, prompting the agency to advise women take extreme precaution when traveling, or anywhere they could get bit by mosquitoes.
The dangers to non-pregnant sufferers are minimal, with symptoms including fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, skin rash and conjunctivitis.
Three cases of the virus have been documented in Florida, two in Miami and one in Hillsborough County.
In Bolivia, the authorities have reported the first case of a pregnant woman diagnosed with Zika.
This virus is spread by mosquitoes in tropical parts of the world.
Dr. Sarah Park, DOH State Epidemiologist, said that what happened to the mother and her child was very unfortunate. “Mosquitos can carry serious diseases, as we know too well with our current dengue outbreak and it is imperative that we all Fight the Bite by reducing mosquito breeding areas, avoiding places with mosquitos, and applying repellant as needed”. Just like dengue fever and chikungunya, Zika virus is also transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquito.
The US has at least “a dozen or so” confirmed cases of the Zika virus, which causes severe damage to babies’ brains if their mothers contract the disease during pregnancy.
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So when there are mosquitoes about, follow the normal guidelines to keep yourself safe, use mosquito repellent, wear long sleeve clothes and hats.
