The virus, they said, circulated through the mosquitoes’ bodies and into their salivary glands, meaning they might be able to transmit a Zika infection by biting a person.
Advertisement
The outbreak of Zika in Brazil, first detected past year, has been linked to 4,863 confirmed and suspected cases of microcephaly, a condition defined by unusually small heads that can result in developmental problems.
Google has also added extensive information about Zika globally in 16 languages and is working with popular YouTube creators across Latin America, including Sesame Street and Brazilian physician Drauzio Varella, to raise awareness about Zika prevention via their channels.
The Oklahoma Department of Health says two Oklahomans have been sickened by the Zika virus while traveling overseas. It causes rashes, joint and muscle pain, and fever, and Health officials have stated most people won’t develop any symptoms at all.
In February, the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus a global public health emergency. Carried by mosquitoes, the virus itself is usually fairly harmless to the infected, but can spread globally. All of them had contracted the virus while traveling outside the country. After Frieden’s testimony, the CDC reported an additional 117 diagnosed Zika cases confirmed in Puerto Rico – four times the number reported by the end of January, according to CNN. We hope these efforts are helpful in fighting this new public health emergency, and we will continue to do our part to help combat this outbreak.
Advertisement
The US Centres for Disease Control Director Tom Frieden told a congressional hearing on Wednesday (March 3) that cases of the Zika virus in Puerto Rico are increasing at an alarmingly fast rate. Specifically, it presents guidance for preventing Zika virus infection;antenatal care and management of women with infection; and care during pregnancy for all pregnant women living in affected areas, with the aim of optimizing health outcomes for mothers and newborns. One of the difficulties in tracking the outbreak is that no reliable test for the virus exists, and in many cases victims present no symptoms. Though infected mosquitoes have not been found in the USA, it is a prevalent issue in Puerto Rico, Mexico and much of Central and South America.
