State Epidemiologist Dr. Ann Garvey is telling pregnant women in Iowa to not travel to the Wynwood area of Miami, Florida, where Zika-infected mosquitoes have been identified. There is also evidence that the virus can be spread through sexual contact with an infected person.
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Now that Zika has established itself in the US mosquito population, it’s likely to prove tough to eradicate.
Health officials last Friday announced that mosquitoes have apparently started spreading Zika on the US mainland, citing four cases they strongly believe were caused by bites.
In addition to mosquitoes, the Zika virus can be transmitted through sex.
Up until recently, although Zika had been reported in nearly every state in the United States, it was exclusively the kind brought back from travel overseas, or transmitted from person to person through sexual contact. CDC is sending a CDC Emergency Response Team with experts in Zika, pregnancy, and birth defects to aid the response. The global outbreak has led to more than 1,800 serious defects.
And because the virus can linger in sperm, men should wait six months before attempting to impregnate a partner.
Scott and Frieden believe the transmission is occurring in an area of just 1 square mile, and the four original patients were likely infected at workplaces in that area.
Federal health officials did not outline the team’s specific duties, but said its members would work with Florida health officials to determine their needs and how best to use federal resources.
While the specific mosquito species known to spread Zika is not native to NY, a related species is present in downstate areas.
United said it’s “monitoring” the situation, but is following the CDC guidelines, which to date only say pregnant women should avoid one particular section of Miami.
“If you’re pregnant or think you might be pregnant, avoid travel to Miami, and possibly elsewhere in South Florida”, he said. The World Health Organization insists the Olympics would not increase the spread of the virus, but has advised pregnant women to stay away from the games.
This is the most aggressive approach the state has taken to combat mosquitoes in the subway system, but the CDC said its finding some insecticides aren’t working.
Dr. Neil Silverman, an OBY-GYN at the University of California, Los Angeles, is advising pregnant women to avoid travel across two southern Florida counties: Miami-Dade County and Broward County. Rosemary Jean said her father, Gabriel, is one of them.
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“We can not simply stand by and let this virus spread, when we know we have the resources readily available”, Cole said.
