Last week’s report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in The New England Journal of Medicine confirmed strong suspicions that the virus was behind a rise in cases in South America of the condition, in which children are born with an abnormally small head and malformed brain.
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The Department of Public Health confirmed six cases of Zika virus in California as of January 29, and reported those were contracted by people who travelled in other countries with Zika outbreaks between 2013-2015.
However, although there have been a lot of people who fear at the thought of the Zika virus spreading on American soil, Fauci believes the outbreak will not be widespread.
“Increasing the capacity of the state public health laboratory is critically important to the work we are doing around emerging infectious diseases like Zika”, Levine said in a statement.
While many people infected with Zika will experience mild symptoms, the CDC advises there is a link between Zika virus infection in pregnant women and subsequent birth defects.
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention place the Kansas City area within its risk area for the two species that carry the virus Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Physicians should stay informed of the latest evidence regarding sexual transmission of Zika virus.
According to the CDC, a man who had traveled to Venezuela infected his male partner – who did not travel to the country – upon his return to Texas in January.
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday detailed a three-year, five-borough plan created to protect New Yorkers from mosquitoes and prevent the spread of the Zika virus in New York City.
Use mosquito repellents according to instructions. The National Institutes of Health will continue research into a vaccine and the U.S. Agency for International Development would intensify efforts to fight the virus overseas.
Use air conditioning or window/door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
The disease can cause fever, rash, muscle and joint aches and red eyes.
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“To date, LCHD has tested some pregnant women who were travelers and none were positive for Zika”, Allen said in an email. Rubella, toxoplasmosis, severe malnutrition, and exposure to alcohol, drugs, or toxic chemicals can all lead to some level of microcephaly, as can exposure to the Zika virus during pregnancy.
