Bentley approved the use of emergency funds up to $250,000 to assist in mosquito control efforts, after the Alabama Department of Public Health requested assistance with Zika mitigation funding.
Advertisement
“Lincoln Trail District Health Department strongly encourages pregnant women, women planning to become pregnant, and male partners of women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to cancel or delay travel to Zika-affected areas”, said Sara Jo Best, public health director.
USA officials said they don’t expect to see a Zika epidemic in the United States similar to those in Latin America.
Yesterday, aerial spraying of pesticide was started in Miami as way to cut down the mosquito population further. Zika infection during pregnancy may cause birth defects and can cause microcephaly, or small head size, in addition to other birth defects.
The first confirmed Zika virus infection was found in May 2015 in Brazil.
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.
As of August 4, these are the statistics on the Zika virus.
Zika is spread either through someone getting bit by an infected mosquito or by having unprotected sex with an infected man, according to health officials. “It is very likely that we will have local transmission of the Zika virus by mosquitos like Florida is now experiencing”.
The CDC advises pregnant women not to travel to an area where active Zika transmission is ongoing, and to use insect repellent and wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts if they are in those areas.
Advertisement
Dr. DiFerdinando said the vast majority of people infected with Zika do not even know they have it. “The key is to protect pregnant women”. “We’ve never before had a mosquito-borne disease that could cause a birth defect and that’s why we take it so seriously”.
