Top federal health officials fear Congress will leave town Friday without approving funds to combat Zika just as the summer mosquito season is peaking and money to fight the virus is about to run out.
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A third case of the Zika virus involving a Nebraska resident has been reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
There are 320 confirmed cases of the virus in the state, including 241 in New York City, according to state and county officials. As of June 23, the U. S. Zika Pregnancy Registry had reported seven live-born infants with birth defects and five pregnancy losses with birth defects.
Zika has been seen in parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, and some Pacific islands for years, but has recently been reported in approximately 30 countries, mostly in the Caribbean, Central and South America.
It marked the sixth case of the country’s Zika virus infection since the fifth one was detected some 50 days ago.
That brings the United States totals, as of June 23, to seven babies with microcephaly or other Zika-related birth defects such as serious brain abnormalities, and five lost pregnancies from either miscarriage, stillbirth or termination.
Active Zika outbreaks have been reported in at least 49 countries or territories, majority in the Americas, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The state health department encourages residents to drain standing water in any containers, which is the breeding source for mosquitoes; cover exposed skin with long-sleeved shirts and trousers, and to wear mosquito repellent outdoors.
Dr. Vitek did however add that while the Zika virus “contributed” to the patient’s death, it’s not certain “if it was the sole cause (of death)”.
“Making sure we do everything we can to prevent microcephaly babies in the U.S.is why this is so important”, Burwell said. They encourage pregnant women not to go on the trips, he said.
The #MosquitoMonday public health campaign also is aimed at reducing the risk of West Nile virus and La Crosse encephalitis, two mosquito-borne illnesses present in the area for many years, as well as less-common diseases spread by the insects. The virus also spreads through sexual contact. Recent studies have shown evidence of Zika in amniotic fluid, placenta and fetal brain tissue.
The Aedes types of mosquitos that can potentially transmit the Zika virus bite during the daytime. “It can also be transmitted to the fetus of a pregnant woman, causing serious birth defects”.
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“We can beat Zika, but we have to do it now”, the senator said.
