The Health Department reported 14 new cases of Zika in the territory in the last week, while the number of confirmed cases among pregnant women has risen to six.
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Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, said there is concern that people infected in Florida will travel to other areas of the country where Zika could then be spread through local mosquitoes there.
“[We are actively testing mosquitoes] as part of our ongoing integrated vector control and surveillance programs at bases and installations”, said Air Force Maj.
North Shore Mosquito Abatement District Director Roger Nasci said his office has received lots of calls and emails about the possibility of Zika in IL, but he says the risk in IL is low.
RiverStone Health warns travelers returning from Zika affected areas who have symptoms or are pregnant should visit with their healthcare provider.
Two babies have been born with Zika virus-related defects in California, but neither of them were born in the Inland region, health officials said Thursday, Aug. 4.
“I would love to know to tomorrow”, she said, “but it’s not going to happen”.
“On the streets of Wynwood, where the virus was locally transmitted, reaction about the virus is mixed even among those who should be most concerned”, Valencia reported.
While mosquitoes that can carry the virus have been found in 12 California counties, including Orange County, there is no evidence these mosquitoes are transmitting Zika.
“Our top priority is to protect pregnant women from the potentially devastating harm caused by Zika”, said the CDC’s Dr. Lyle Petersen.
In light of the recent news, ABC 17 News took a deeper look at how Zika could affect us in Mid-Missouri.
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are seen inside Oxitec laboratory in Campinas, Brazil, Feb. 2, 2016.
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The federal government recently awarded $3.7 million to the state DOH to fight infectious diseases such as Zika, dengue and hepatitis A, an outbreak of which the state now is battling.
