Its travel advice was updated after the USA state confirmed four people in Miami with the Zika virus appear to have been infected by mosquitoes locally.
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So far, the Florida Department of Health believes that active transmissions of the Zika virus are occurring in one small area in Miami-Dade County, just north of downtown.
“Florida now has the capacity to test 6,609 people for active Zika virus and 2,059 people for Zika antibodies”, Mr Scott said. That means in addition to infected people entering or re-entering the US-say, after a tropical vacation-Zika’s entire mosquito-borne infection cycle has now officially been documented in the US.
In the meantime, if you’re pregnant or planning to get pregnant and you live in or are visiting South Florida, now’s a good time to brush up on Zika prevention advice. Earlier this month he called the Zika threat a “full-blown health crisis” for the U.S., allying himself with California Senator Barbara Boxer, a Democrat, who said, “we need to act now”.
According to Brian Foy, an associate professor with Colorado State University, Colorado’s dry climate acts as a natural defense against Zika carrying mosquitos, which thrive in more humid climates such as south Florida. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is behind the large outbreaks of Zika virus in Latin America and the Caribbean. Officials say doctors should ask pregnant women about their travel and certain symptoms, and, if warranted, test them for an infection with the Zika virus. These categories ensure travel advice is appropriate and proportionate to the defined Zika virus transmission risk. Here’s how some travelers reacted to the news Zika isn’t just in Brazil. “We have worked hard to stay ahead of the spread of Zika and prepare for the worst”.
“Pregnant women should consider postponing non-essential travel to affected areas until after the pregnancy”.
Two of the cases suspected of local transmission were in Miami-Dade County, and two were in Broward County, Scott said.
“There is extremely low risk of contracting Zika virus in the United Kingdom as the mosquito that transmits the infection is not present in the United Kingdom, however it can be spread by sexual transmission”, Boyd added.
There is now no vaccine.
US health officials said they do not expect a widespread outbreak of the sort seen in Brazil and other countries. “Following today’s news I’m directing the Department Health to immediately begin contracting with commercial pest control companies to increase spraying a mosquito abatement efforts in the impacted area”.
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According to the Yorkshire Post, infection control lead for the trust Dr Gavin Boyd, said: “There is extremely low risk of contracting Zika virus in the United Kingdom as the mosquito that transmits the virus is not present in the UK”.
