The Zika virus is already in the United States with cases reported in Puerto Rico, Florida, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which can carry the Zika virus, have specifically been found in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of D.C. but were not carrying Zika.
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Two Ashburton women, both aged in their 30s, were confirmed as having the Zika virus in February after visiting Samoa and North Canterbury woman Piliniuote Fifita, 40, contracted the virus in January after visiting Tonga. It was first detected in Brazil, where it is believed to have infected hundreds of thousands of people as it began its march across the Americas. All cases involve possible transmission of the virus from men to their sex partners.
Whatever the case, there have been over 580 cases of microcephaly confirmed in Brazil.
There is now no vaccine or medication to treat the disease.
“Given possible transmission of the disease to unborn babies, and taking a very cautious approach, pregnant women should consider postponing travel to Thailand or talk to their doctor about implication”. But as many as 80 percent of people infected never develop symptoms.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday issued new recommendations aimed at reducing the risk of Zika virus transmission through donated human tissues and cells used in surgical or reproductive procedures, such as umbilical cord blood, corneas and heart valves.
The CDC also recommends that all travelers use insect repellent while in Zika Virus outbreak areas and continue to use it for three weeks after travel in case they might be infected but not sick. “But it is not a newly discovered virus – Zika was identified several decades ago and there have been occasional outbreaks in other parts of the world over the years”. The CDC reported 107 Zika virus cases in the US from people who had traveled to affected countries and returned. So far, Chan said, she is the only positive case, although 50 of the samples are still being tested by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
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U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) called for better coordination among agencies handling the spread of the Zika virus to ensure “the best science-based solutions are available” to prevent the spread of the mosquitoes carrying the disease. Mosquito bites remain the primary way Zika virus is transmitted. Khan added that Zika qualifies as a concern, not a health emergency.
