Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton said, “These community meetings will provide updates on Zika and give residents the opportunity to get more clarification on any issue related to the virus as we move to reinforce the need for individual responsibility”.
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The first known case of the Zika virus through sexual contact in the US was reported earlier this year in Texas.
Meanwhile, new research from Italy finds that Zika, which can cause birth defects including microcephaly, can remain in an infected man’s sperm for as long as six months, even with treatment, suggesting the risk of sexual transmission is greater than previously believed.
In addition to mosquitoes, the Zika virus can be transmitted through sex.
“We really knew it was a matter of time before someone went somewhere and contracted the virus”, says Matt Smith, director of Sarasota County Mosquito Management. The actual number of people infected with Zika likely is higher because most people with Zika infections have no symptoms and might not seek testing.
Puerto Rico reported 1,914 new cases in the past week, bringing the total to 10,690 since the first case reported in December.
In a prepared statement officials from the U.S. Health and Human Services noted that the declaration is meant to highlight the danger that the public on the island, a U.S. territory is under, especially pregnant women.
Puerto Rico health secretary Ana Rius said 90 people have been admitted to hospital because of Zika.
Riverside County, after reporting its first Zika infection July 5 and a second Wednesday, now has five travel-related cases.
Puerto Rico reported the first microcephaly case acquired on USA soil in May, involving a dead fetus that a woman turned over to health authorities.
Scott, Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart and Florida Surgeon General Celeste Philip held a conference call with the state’s superintendents Thursday afternoon, to update them on the state’s Zika response and encourage them to develop working relationships with their local health departments.
Zika was first detected past year in Brazil, where it has taken its heaviest toll so far, and has spread rapidly through Latin America and the Caribbean. The virus can also spread from a mother to a fetus and through blood transfusions.
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Rubio further said that he understands the difficulties that a baby born with microcephaly-a condition linked to the Zika virus-may face as he or she grows up, but these are not enough reason to deprive them of a chance to live.
