The CDC has reported 388 travel associated Zika virus cases as of April. 20. The virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.
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HARTFORD – A second patient living in CT has tested positive for the Zika virus, health officials announced Friday.
Zika can cause dramatic birth defects, including babies born with unusually small heads. She encourages people, especially pregnant women, to be vigilant about mosquito bites. Of those, 33 were pregnant women and another 8 were sexually transmitted. Most microbiologists, who participated in the AIIMS workshop, said delayed reaction in the case of Ebola had led to high incidence of deaths and early action was needed to prevent a similar situation this time.
Though five cases have been reported in West Virginia, Richardson said all of those were acquired through travel to countries where the Zika virus is prevalent. The type of mosquito that carries the virus is not found in the area, Drummond said.”Where we have concern is people who travel”, she said. It is spread by mosquitos and sexual contact and is likely to spread more aggressively as mosquito season looms. Since then, the virus has spread throughout South America, becoming a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” according to the World Health Organisation.
DPH officials said this man “became ill with a rash one day after his return”, but showed “no other symptoms” were reported to authorities.
Republicans in Congress may be ready to act on funding for the fight against the Zika virus. Almost 80 percent of people who catch the virus will show no symptoms, which includes: fever, rash, joint soreness, or redness of the eyes.
“Today’s test result highlights the need for everyone to take precautions if they are traveling to areas affected by Zika”.
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Since zika is transmitted via mosquitoes, the best way to protect yourself is by wearing protection created to stop mosquitoes from biting, like sprays and nettings, and avoiding stagnant water where mosquitoes like to breed. For example, they say the administration hasn’t said how much of the money would actually go to Zika and how much would go to unspecified “other infectious diseases” cited in the request. If travel can not be avoided, persons in these high risk groups should rigorously practice mosquito bite precautions and notify their health care provider if any symptoms of illness occur within two weeks of travel.
