Boston schools plans to cancel worldwide field trips to countries struck by the Zika virus, the day after the World Health Organization declared the virus outbreak a global emergency.
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“While the CDC has not identified Florida as an area of local Zika risk, the Florida Department of Health is closely monitoring imported disease”, the release said. “If another mosquito here bites me and sucks up my infected blood and then goes and bites another person, then they could get the Zika virus”, Vickery added.
“Next to abstinence, condoms are the best prevention method against any sexually-transmitted infections”, Thompson said.
The virus isn’t harmful in most cases but it may be harmful during pregnancy, as it’s been potentially linked to birth defects – particularly abnormally small heads (microcephaly).
Texas health officials say they depend on the CDC labs to confirm Zika cases, as the state’s labs don’t yet have that capability.
Zika virus was transmitted from one person to another in Texas, USA. Illness may develop in 20 percent of infected people within 3 to 7 days after a bite from an infected mosquito.
“Although Florida’s current nine Zika cases were travel-related, we have to ensure Florida is prepared and stays ahead of the spread of the Zika virus in our state”.
“It could be a serious concern in the U.S but probably never be what it’s like in these countries that have really Have a little mosquito protection”, Dr. Richard Wallace, infectious disease specialist at U.T. Health Northeast said.
The development comes as two cases were reported in Ireland.
In 2008, a malaria specialist who caught Zika virus while gathering mosquitoes in Africa passed the infection to his wife after his return to Northern Colorado. Pregnant women are being advised not to travel to areas where the virus is present.
The statement also warned that anyone with symptoms which could be due to Zika such as fever, headache, aches, rash or itchy eyes should practice safe sex for six months following the start of his symptoms.
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The WHO has not recommended travel or trade bans with affected countries, but says that it is drawing up advice to pregnant women.
