The Zika epidemic in South America has resulted in thousands of infants in Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela being born with a condition known as microcephaly, in which the infant’s skull is too small for his or her brain.
Advertisement
On Wednesday, U.S. health officials announced that a potential vaccine for the Zika virus had entered early clinical trials to assess its safety in humans.
Public health and mosquito-control efforts must be stronger; individuals and businesses in the affected areas also can help by eliminating sources of standing water that breed insects.
“This is a sobering reminder for Californians that Zika can cause serious harm to a developing fetus”, Smith said.
Common symptoms of Zika included fever, rash and joint pain.
“This local transmission is much more likely in the parishes around Lake Pontchartrain than other areas of the state”, the state Health Department said.
The number for the Zika Virus Information Hotline is 1-855-622-6735. “I asked for… whatever they can do to support our efforts with regard to mosquito control”, he said.
The Alabama Department of Public Health continues to work with a variety of partners to prepare, protect, and educate Alabamians to meet the challenges of the virus. More than 20,000 mosquitoes have been tested, although none has tested positive for the virus, which can cause severe birth defects. The CDC has urged expectant mothers to avoid Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, where at least 15 people are believed to have been infected with the Zika virus through mosquito bites. If Oxitec’s bugs mix with native mosquito populations, they could help thin the population of Ae aegypti in Florida, which could reduce transmission of Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses.
As of right now, 10 people in Kentucky have been infected with the Zika virus, with three from Jefferson County.
Advertisement
A travel advisory for pregnant women to a one square mile area in Miami, however, still stands. The virus can be passed via mosquitos, sex, and possibly through tainted blood transfusions, although this has not yet been confirmed by the CDC. A total of 23 infections have been confirmed in pregnant women. We must take steps to combat this public health emergency by passing emergency Zika funding.
