But for pregnant women, the virus carries far worse outcomes: Zika can cause microcephaly in babies born to infected mothers, a condition that stunts the growth of babies’ heads and can result in serious cognitive, neurological, and motor disabilities.
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New Hampshire health officials said Thursday that the two species of mosquitoes that carry Zika virus are not in the Granite State, but that the state plans to start testing for them in case they arrive.
RiverStone Health and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services confirmed Wednesday the first Zika virus case has been reported in Yellowstone County.
These are the first cases of Zika transmission by local mosquitoes in the continental U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Health officials said Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016 that two babies have been born with Zika-related defects in California. At the time of testing, three pregnant women were confirmed to have Zika Virus.
Scientists are scrambling to find a way to contain the pathogen, which is spreading in 50 countries and territories, mainly in Latin America, the Caribbean and the U.S. state of Florida.
“We do not have the main mosquito – Aedes Egypti – it does not survive our cold weather, so in that way we’re lucky to have cold weather, I suppose”, said Dr. Allison Arwady, Chicago Department of Public Health. In most people, the virus causes only mild illness, but infection during pregnancy can lead to severe brain-related birth defects for the fetus.
He said it could take a week or longer to get a warrant allowing for mosquito abatement at vacant or investor-owned properties.
Like West Nile virus, Zika is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito.
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Travelers to areas with zika should monitor for symptoms or sickness upon return.
