The first known case of Zika transmission in the United States during the current outbreak was reported in Texas on Tuesday.
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“So first and foremost, pregnant women are being recommended not to travel to any of these countries including numerous Caribbean islands that are experiencing Zika virus infection or outbreaks”, Biedryzycki said. Names and genders of the two involved persons have not been released at time of press.
Pregnant women, or women who wish to get pregnant, are also being advised to carefully consider the risks of travel to a Zika-affected country.
Zika has been linked to cases of microcephaly in newborns, a condition in which a child’s head is smaller than normal size.
In Indonesia, health officials said they have not detected the Zika virus in the country since the beginning of this year.
And the risk is only set to increase as the spread of the virus could be uncontrollable in spring and summer.
Instead health experts say that better eradication methods for the Aedes aegypti mosquito include spraying pesticides indoors – under beds, on walls and in closets – in addition to regular garbage collection and the use of screens and air conditioning.
“We have to ensure Florida is prepared and stays ahead of the spread of the Zika virus in our state”, Scott said in a statement. Since a year ago, the virus has exploded in Brazil and is believed to be the cause of birth defects in hundreds of newborns in that nation.
Studies are under way to investigate the association of Zika virus infection and microcephaly, the CDC has said. “In the USA and Mexico, the company is passing along to its employees, health alert information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention so they will be mindful as they travel and take precautions when or where possible”. One case was confirmed by the Blood Center at the Sao Paulo state University of Campinas and the other was confirmed by the health department of Campinas.
The World Health Organization has declared an worldwide emergency and launched a global Zika virus response unit.
In additional to this recent case, there have been very few cases in the past that have suggested Zika may have been transmitted through sexual contact.
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The WHO urged European countries on Wednesday to act swiftly to fend off the Zika virus.
