Six of the patients tested have been positive for travel-related Zika, including these two most recent cases. The kind of mosquitoes that can transmit Zika virus (from the species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus) aren’t found in the Pacific Northwest. Chinese researchers said Wednesday they have found direct evidence that Zika infection causes microcephaly, a birth defect marked by an abnormally small head, in mouse experiments. “Our platform can now be used to understand what is unique about the Brazilian Zika virus and to test drugs to prevent the neurological problems associated with the infection”, Muotri said.
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The administration requested emergency funding to battle Zika in February and was forced to tap more than $500 million worth of unspent Ebola funds last month. For pregnant women, the CDC recommends avoiding travel to areas with Zika.
A small proportion of Zika infections have been linked to Guillan-Barré Syndrome (GBS), which causes muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.
Should people in King County take any steps to prevent getting Zika? “This is particularly critical for pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant, who should postpone travel to these areas if at all possible”, cautioned DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino. “We really want to focus on travel precautions as well as the use of condoms for individuals who have either traveled to or resided in areas where the Zika outbreak is now ongoing”.
Nelson, an Orlando Democrat, and Rubio, a Miami Republican, worked in concert to try to stop a compromise measure moving through the Senate that would authorize just $1.1 billion to treat the deadly virus, fund preventative vaccine research and pay for stepped-up mosquito control. The CDC has guidance on preventing sexual transmission.
“We did a very good job (with Ebola), and I think we can do the same kind of job with Zika if we get the resources to respond appropriately”, Fauci said. “However, anyone traveling to a Zika-affected area needs to speak with their healthcare provider about appropriate prevention measures”. If your illness is consistent with Zika, your healthcare provider can order blood tests.
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In Connecticut, 252 patients, including 221 pregnant women, have been tested for Zika virus. However, in the past week the FDA approved a new type of commercial diagnostic test that can be ordered by healthcare providers for people who meet the CDC criteria for testing, so that may help reduce the waiting time in some cases. It is believed that no one has contracted Zika while in the U.S. These two options would not require spending cuts elsewhere to cover the Zika costs, aides said.
