Furthermore, health experts are encouraging that all US citizens use preventative measures, such as the use of an EPA-registered mosquito repellant containing DEET, IR3535, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Women who are pregnant or could become pregnant are cautioned against traveling to Zika-affected areas, which include all of Central America and most of South America.
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The three entities “will begin distributing Zika teacher toolkits and materials for school districts, public state colleges and public universities to help educate students and their families”, Scott said in a news release.
The state Department of Health said it still believes active transmissions are only taking place in the Wynwood neighborhood, which is north of downtown Miami. The genetic material in the Zika virus is called RNA, rather than the DNA that carries genetic information in humans.
Zika can also be spread during sex, so Clay County health officials urge people concerned about contracting the virus to abstain from sex or use condoms. “While this is a travel-associated case, we know that prevention is key to reducing the risk of Zika virus infection”.
The CDC is recommending pregnant women avoid traveling to the Wynwood neighborhood near Miami, Florida, where Zika has been spread by mosquitoes.
This outbreak is the first in which Zika virus infections have been linked to infected mosquitoes in the continental U.S.
DHS officials said in a statement Wednesday there are fewer than 20 people in Wisconsin who have confirmed cases of Zika virus.
Wyoming’s first case of travel-related Zika virus in a state resident has been confirmed, according to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH). It does not cause serious complications in adults, but the virus can cause severe brain defects and microcephaly in newborns.
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The actual number of people infected with Zika in Puerto Rico is likely higher, officials said Friday, because most people with a Zika infection have no symptoms and might not seek testing. A third person in Palm Beach County has also tested positive for Zika.
