While the precise mechanism by which fetuses develop microcephaly is not known, “there is strong scientific consensus” that Zika virus causes microcephaly and other neurological disorders, according to the World Health Organization.
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“You can take some simple precautions at home and when traveling to prevent potentially serious mosquito-borne and tick-borne diseases”, said ODH Medical Director Dr. Mary DiOrio. Dr. Anthony Fauci projects a few dozen cases of Zika virus infection occurrences in the United States when that happens. The CDC has also urged pregnant women to avoid mosquito bites and travel to countries in South and Central America with active spread of Zika.
As of this month, the Virginia Department of Health has reported only eleven cases of Zika in Virginia, all related to traveling outside of the US. Although the mosquito species that carries West Nile virus differs from the Aedes mosquitoes that transmits the Zika virus, existing traps will be optimized to better exterminate both mosquito species.
The first major documented Zika virus outbreak occurred in Brazil a year ago.
Mosquitoes are usually active in OH from May through October.
A map that shows the areas at-risk for the Zika virus. With those numbers expected to continue to rise, it’s important that people understand what Zika is, how it can be transmitted and what they can do to protect themselves, because there now is no vaccine to prevent the disease or drug to treat it.
Legacy Community Health say they see about 300 pregnant women a day, some of whom travel regularly to Latin America.
The case involved a man who traveled to Venezuela and infected his male partner – who had not traveled – upon his return to Texas in January.
A variety of mosquitoes can spread Zika, but aedes aegypti is thought to be the most unsafe because it prefers to feed on humans rather than other animals.
Of the cases confirmed in Florida, four cases are still exhibiting symptoms, which include fever, joint pain, rash and red eyes lasting seven to 10 days, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We will spare no effort to protect pregnant New Yorkers from the devastating consequences of Zika, and we ask New Yorkers to help us by taking simple steps to get rid of standing water where mosquitoes can breed”.
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Wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers and using mosquito nets at night is also recommended.
