On the same day officials in Florida declared the Wynwood section of Miami, “ground zero” for the Zika virus in the state, no longer “active” for local transmission, officials from a state halfway across the country expressed concerns over a “pending disaster” involving the mosquito-borne infection.
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Monique Davis, health educator at HRHC, said residents that have traveled to places were Zika carrying mosquitoes have been found – including Miami Beach and Central and South America – should wear repellent for three weeks after they return home.
In an abundance of caution, county officials have sprayed for Aedes mosquitoes in instances when they’ve been discovered near the residences of people sickened by Zika.
The first confirmed case of travel-related Zika is in Cameron County. “People living in or visiting Miami-Dade County, particularly pregnant women, are encouraged to continue to take steps to prevent mosquito bites and to follow guidelines for preventing sexual transmission”.
The vaccine is said to work by incorporating Zika DNA, via a synthetically produced Zika virus protein, to induce the body’s immune system into fighting off the disease. The samples are showing a decrease in the hatch rate, which means the bacteria was passed to local female mosquitoes and prevented their eggs from hatching. On the other hand, men who had Zika virus infection or experienced related symptoms are advised to wait for a minimum of six months before getting their partner pregnant.
But vigorous mosquito-control efforts appear to have paid off in Wynwood, halting new cases of Zika virus transmission in that area, CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said Monday.
CarePoint is continuing to educate patients about how Zika is transmitted and checks patients travel history when they present symptoms. A week passes before crews know whether or not they need to return to the area for treatment, leaving residents at risk of contracting the virus for up to a week.
THE Zika virus, which is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is a recent addition to illnesses whose spread has anxious health authorities worldwide. St. John has reported 42 cases this year, with 13 confirmed as Zika and two confirmed as dengue.
“I hope we have a cold winter this year, especially in Florida – and dry”, said Johnson.
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People with questions about Zika may call the health department’s Emergency Operations Center at 340-712-6205.
