The Aedes aegypti mosquito is behind the large outbreaks of Zika virus in Latin America and the Caribbean. Those cases mark the first documented instances of local Zika virus transmission in the continental United States.
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More than 1,650 cases of Zika have so far been detected in the United States, but the Florida cases would be the first in the USA not involving sexual contact or foreign travel.
Because we are in mosquito season, Williamson County officials encouraged everyone, especially pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant, to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday asked all blood centers in Miami-Dade, Broward and surrounding areas to stop taking donations until they can be tested for the virus. In each case, the mosquitoes transmitted Zika to people in a small area, about a square mile.
Florida Governor Rick Scott released a statement today on the new cases, “Following today’s news, I directed the Department of Health to immediately begin contracting with commercial pest control companies to increase spraying and mosquito abatement efforts in the impacted area”. The first one was reported in a man under the age of 50, according to the Statesman.
According to officials, each of the Florida cases was found within the same Miami-Dade County zip code.
“We must assume that could happen and that is the reason why you get very aggressive in trying to prevent it”, Fauci said.
Our worst fears about Zika spreading may be coming true! The Orlando area is teeming with an influx of tourists, attending the cluster of theme parks in the area such as Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. There have been more than 4,700 cases of mosquito-borne Zika in Puerto Rico and other USA territories. Authorities have issues no plans to limit travel to the Miami region.
Almost 80 percent of people infected with the virus will have no symptoms.
Pregnant women are considered to be at the greatest risk from the Zika virus because it can cause microcephaly and other birth defects.
The health department is partnering with Missouri State to research the mosquito population in Missouri.
“If you have recently returned from an area where Zika virus transmissions are now reported and have a fever or flu-like illness, seek medical attention without delay”.
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Public Health England is advising pregnant women to consider postponing non-essential travel to Florida because of the Zika virus. “We’re committed to sharing as much as we can as soon as we can”.
