The Zika virus, which is spread by mosquitos and is most risky to pregnant women, has been spreading and infecting much of the world, especially in Brazil and other parts of South America.
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She said another problem is people who are spraying Pyrethrum around their homes as a precaution to fight against Zika.
This is the most aggressive approach the state has taken to combat mosquitoes in the subway system, but the CDC said its finding some insecticides aren’t working. And government health officials warned pregnant women to avoid a Zika-stricken part of Miami.
Federal public health officials have issued an unprecedented travel warning for pregnant women, advising them to steer clear of one area of Miami where 15 cases of the Zika virus have been discovered.
A majority of people infected with Zika virus do not show any symptoms or are asymptomatic, but others develop rash, fever, body aches, and redness of eyes, which usually appear about three to seven days after the mosquito bite.
The Department of Health’s website reports that 50 Virginians had been infected with the mosquito-borne virus as of Thursday.
Mosquito control experts said that’s no surprise to them, describing the Aedes aegypti mosquito as a “little ninja” capable of hiding in tiny crevices, sneaking up on people’s ankles and breeding in just a bottle cap of standing water.
“It can stay around in the blood for about a week-that’s as far as we know”. The Zika virus has been linked to birth defects, including microcephaly.
Thompson wants funding to focus on vetting travelers, controlling mosquitoes, and going door-to-door educating residents about Zika. It also urged any pregnant women who frequent or live in the area get tested before their third trimester.
Alarm bells are going off after the number of Zika cases from local mosquitoes more than tripled – from four to 14 – in less than a week.
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Researchers found that only certain species of mosquitoes are carriers of this virus and two of those are found in Forsyth County.
