When health experts gave 66 people in Florida both blood and urine tests, they found out that the urine test for Zika virus detection is more accurate. Because the symptoms of Zika are similar to those of many other diseases, many cases may not have been recognized. There are now 112 travel-related cases of Zika in Florida, and Scott said he asked congressional members to hold meetings on Zika in Miami. Since there is no vaccine for the Zika virus, the best course of action is regular testing, using insect repellent and nets, and eliminating any mosquito breeding grounds, like standing water, from the surrounding areas.
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Zika virus is risky not only for the symptoms it causes such as fever, skin rash, joint pain and red eyes. “This is particularly critical for pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant, who should postpone travel to these areas if at all possible”, said Dr. Raul Pino, the commissioner of DPH.
A team of United States researchers has for the first time shown how Zika virus infection in pregnancy can affect foetal brain development.
Incidences of the Zika virus are increasing in the United States, including two cases reported today in Volusia County by the Florida Department of Health. Mosquitoes that spread Zika are aggressive daytime biters.
MA has its guard up for the mosquito-borne Zika virus, keeping a close tabs as Zika spreads through Central and South America, state health officials said Wednesday.
Because Massachusetts already tests mosquitoes for West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis, Brown said, the state is well positioned to respond to emerging viruses and the arrival of new mosquito species.
New animal tests have now proved that Zika virus, which has been linked to the birth defect microcephaly, can enter the brains of mice in the womb and stunt the development of their brains. They usually last up to a week. However, as temperatures get warmer, administrators worry about local transmissions of Zika.
Scott is asking congressional members to hold a field hearing in Miami, which has the most travel-related Zika cases in the state. So far, none of Maryland, San Antonio and Kentucky’s cases were contracted locally.
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In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil.
