Although the virus isn’t endemic to the area, it could be spread from an infected person to others via mosquito bites.
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President Obama has ordered the transfer of almost $600 million from existing disease prevention programs to fight the mosquito-borne virus. In most cases it is so mild that people may not even know they have been infected, and deaths are rare.
There is no vaccine to prevent infection and no specific antiviral treatment for Zika virus infection.
But health officials have indicated that discouraging women from pregnancy, in light of the potential link between the mosquito-borne virus and the birth of babies with microcephaly – underdeveloped brains – is not in the country’s anti-Zika strategy.
But, on top of purely climatic factors, the researchers also studied other influences on the spread of Zika.
According to Davenport, the Salt Lake County woman had traveled to a region that was affected by the virus while pregnant. Officials say this mosquito was first found in the Valley back in 2013.
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said Wednesday that there are 672 confirmed Zika cases in the United States and in USA territories including Puerto Rico, a figure that includes 64 pregnant women.
But the mosquitoes capable of spreading Zika live in parts of the U.S. And while experts dont expect an epidemic here, they worry that small clusters of cases are likely, particularly in Florida or Texas, if the insects bite returning travelers and then someone else.
During the summit, state and local officials were encouraged to map where the Zika mosquito lives and breeds in the state and which insecticides would work best in their area.
More than 312 cases have been reported in 41 states, all of them linked to travel outside the U.S. But with mosquito season here, that could change – and soon.
Of the 12 confirmed cases in the state, two involved Montgomery County women, ages 55 and 59 and neither of whom was pregnant, according to Paoline. The most prudent advice is to monitor for any signs and symptoms after recent foreign travel and report the symptoms and travel to a health care provider immediately. The first case of sexual transmission of Zika was identified in California, March 25.
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The 10-day mission from 11 April aims to create global partnerships to combat tropical diseases in Latin America, at a time when Zika virus is in the world spotlight. Additional updates will be issued as information becomes available, it said. Microcephaly causes serious birth defects and miscarriage. She said since a lot of dengue research could be applied to understanding Zika, that may help shorten the time it takes to deliver a vaccine. This summit addressed many facets of managing Zika – from communication to addressing lab testing, mosquito control, outreach and surveillance.
