Now the Zika Virus has stolen the stage.
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Worldwide health officials are examining the connection between pregnant women contracting the virus and a birth defect called microcephaly in their newborn infants. “If requested by a worker, consider reassigning workers who indicate they are or may become pregnant, or male workers who have a sexual partner who is or may become pregnant, to indoor tasks to reduce their risk of mosquito bites”, the CDC said in a news release.
There is now no vaccine against the virus available, however experts from the National Institute of Health say that vaccine trials will begin this September, with further trials proposed for next year.
In February, the World Health Organization declared the complications of Zika virus an global public health emergency. “This procedure is in line with that being followed by the American Red Cross for blood donors”.
Officials said the woman was now showing no signs of the disease and that she was ongoing evaluation to make sure the virus had not infected her unborn child.
Soul star Aretha Franklin has offered up a scary theory about Prince’s shock death – she thinks a Zika virus infection cost him his life.
Zika has also been linked to cases of autoimmune diseases in adults. Yesterday, a pregnant woman from Fort Bend County tested positive at Legacy Community Health in Houston, which is believed to be the first case of a Zika-positive expecting mother in the region. “Here in NY at least 60 confirmed cases”. The Zika virus can cause microcephaly, a severe birth defect in which babies are born with abnormally small heads.
“In areas affected by Zika virus transmission, protect yourself and others from possible exposure to Zika virus by always taking steps to prevent mosquito bites”, reads the CDC advisory. Ways to avoid mosquito bites while outdoors include wearing EPA-registered insect repellent with DEET, wearing trousers and long sleeves, or remaining indoors in an air conditioned environment.
The patient is a pregnant woman who recently traveled to San Francisco from Central America, the department said.
On Monday, the US Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC) issued a zika virus travel notice for Belize. The virus can also be transmitted sexually, though that is likely less common.
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Zika is circulating mostly throughout the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, and Latin America, and is spread through mosquito bites. But “Ebola isn’t over” according to health officials and Zika is on its way.
