Three cases of Zika virus have been reported in Kane County as of June 30, Kane County Health Department spokesman Tom Schlueter said Friday. Two sources, who asked not to be identified, confirmed that the baby was born a few months ago at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley and that the baby has Zika-related microcephaly. But such a widespread outbreak means that thousands of pregnant women could be exposed and their babies might be at risk of having severe Zika-related birth defects. There is no treatment. “I knew from the get-go that it may end up being nothing, and just an interesting story out of Brazil, or it may end up being a reproductive game changer, which is, I think, where we’re at right now”, Curry said. The Florida Department of Health has identified an area in one neighborhood of Miami where Zika is being spread by mosquitoes.
Advertisement
Of 1,658 Zika cases nationally, 433 involve pregnant women, as of July 21, according to the city’s release.
Sharp says the efforts against Zika in Puerto Rico rely primarily on people.
County health officials said there have been no reports of local transmission of the virus, although the Aedes mosquito that is capable of doing so is present in the San Gabriel Valley and other eastern parts of the county.
Cole urged Inland residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites and pregnant women to talk with their obstetricians about possible travel to areas with active Zika transmission.
Today the city of Amarillo’s Public Health Department announced that another person in our area has the virus.
State health officials said they are working with other agencies to, “ensure that California is responding aggressively and appropriately to the emerging threat of Zika virus”.
Florida has by far the highest number of people diagnosed with Zika in the country, with at least 367 people diagnosed with the disease.
Deyalsingh and Sohan also warned pregnant women not to trust testing for the virus or foetal scanning outside of the public health system. The virus can be passed via mosquitos, sex, and possibly through tainted blood transfusions, although this has not yet been confirmed by the CDC.
Zika also can be spread by sexual contact and can be passed from a mother to a baby.
It’s the 16th non-travel related case in that area of Miami’s Wynwood arts district.
Advertisement
“We continue to stress the importance of preventive measures”, she said.
