The connection between Zika and microcephaly first came to light last fall in Brazil, which has now confirmed more than 1,400 cases of microcephaly that it considers to be related to Zika infections in the mothers. The authors said their work “underscores the need for systematic surveillance” of these mosquitoes nationwide because not all counties collect this data or collect the data in the same way.
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Most number of Zika-associated microcephaly cases have been reported in Brazil with more than 1,400 infants being born with the birth disorder associated with the Zika virus.
O’Brien County Public Health Nurse Lisa Youngers tells us about the risk for Zika in northwest Iowa.
Aedes aegypti, which can also carry yellow fever, and Aedes albopictus are the two species of mosquitos that can spread the Zika virus to others after biting an infected person.
Because Zika’s most severe impact is on fetuses, the kits are only being given to obstetricians to pass along to their patients, but unless you are or want to be pregnant, Devine said Zika isn’t as harmful as you might think. Hotez, who has helped develop vaccines for other tropical diseases, doesn’t see the release of a Zika vaccine happening anytime soon.
Senator Nelson says the only thing we can do is work on mosquito control since there is no cure for Zika at this time.
Fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise and headache lasting for about a week are few of the common symptoms.
The virus, which typically spreads through the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is typically mild, but is especially risky for pregnant women because it can lead serious birth defects like microcephaly. This aligns with recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for all returning travelers, even if they do not feel sick, to prevent spreading the virus through mosquitoes that have been previously found in about 30 states, including Pennsylvania.
The fourth case is an adult male who traveled to a Zika-affected area in May and contracted the virus from a mosquito.
“According to Karen Hacker, director of the ACHD, “… despite this rare incident, there is still no current risk of contracting Zika from mosquitos in Allegheny County”.
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The Division of Public Health said in a news release Friday that the Kent County man had traveled overseas in May and acquired the mosquito-borne virus.
