But the White House has been forced to use Ebola funds to fight a new threat – the Zika virus now spreading rapidly across the Americas. This attracts Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to fly through a one-way opening that’s just a few feet off the ground – flawless for an insect that’s known for its poor aviation skills and tendency to stay low.
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For most people with Zika experience fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. Symptoms usually appear within three to 14 days after infection. A man in his 60s recently contracted the virus while vacationing. “The virus will likely get worse along the Gulf Coast in weeks, not months, given this week’s major flooding that will increase the area’s mosquito population”. More information about Zika virus disease is available at the Department of Health’s website.
The Arkansas Department of Health has already begun placing mosquito traps throughout the state to test for the virus, and Weinstein said she suspects the species of mosquito that carries Zika is present throughout the state. It was subsequently identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The commonwealth of Virginia will now be able to timely detect any potential Zika virus outbreaks.
CDC officials have been warning pregnant women to use mosquito repellent, avoid travelling to Zika-stricken regions and either abstain from sex or rely on condoms.
If you must travel to or live in one of these areas, talk to your healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites.
Health officials are predicting that Zika could be shared by mosquitoes in the U.S.at some point, though it’s not expected to be spread widely. Many Florida residents are not happy about being the government’s guinea pigs, especially since no cases of the Zika virus have been reported in the area. “‘We see a mosquito here and there, but we can sit out and eat dinner outside, our kids can play outside and they’re not getting eaten outside (by mosquitoes)'”.
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A second case of Zika virus has been confirmed in MI. “But more importantly, Congress has failed to address a disease that has infected nearly 700 Americans in 40 states, Washington, D.C., and 3 USA territories, including more than 65 pregnant women”, the letter read. Other birth defects include seizures, developmental and intellectual delays, problems with movement and balance, as well as hearing and vision loss, the release states.
