Everyone travelling to Zika-affected areas should take measures to prevent infection by mosquitoes, to include avoiding outdoor exposure, using EPA-approved insect repellent, wearing loose-fitting clothing that covers arms and legs and pre-treatment of clothing with permethrin, if possible.
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To test for Zika, Gomez said the county health department works closely with the state department of health services and has an active surveillance system. And unlike the local cases of Zika in Florida, Utah does not have the type of mosquitoes known to spread it, ruling that out as well.
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.
The main concern is for pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant, and their sexual partners who can pass on the virus.
“If you’re anxious you might have Zika, you’re better off to be going to a clinic and getting a clinic test”, Dr. Reik said.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito an aggressive daytime biter thought to be the primary spreader of Zika, can breed in very small amounts of water, as tiny as a bottle cap.
“We’ve told basically the world to continue to come to Florida”, Scott said.
The mosquito vector for Zika is genus Aedes mosquitos. Severe illnesses and hospitalization due to Zika virus is rare, the department noted.
The Zika virus has sparked a major health alert in South America and fear of the virus has led a number of competitors to opt out of this year’s Olympic Games in Brazil. They did still warn all pregnant women to stay away from Wynwood. Congress is ready to act on President Barack Obama’s long-stalled request for emergency funds to combat the Zika virus, which has been linked to serious birth defects and other major health problems.
As of August 4, these are the statistics on the Zika virus.
Earlier this week, Frieden warned that local mosquito trapping and spraying efforts were less effective than expected.
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Gov. Scott also announced that the state was shaving 10 blocks off the northwest corner of the area where there is suspected mosquito-born Zika transmission in Wynwood and Midtown. “We could be looking at lots of other things that wouldn’t show up until the baby is older and going to school – learning disabilities and things like that”.
