The Louisiana Department of Health has received confirmation of one additional case of Zika virus from another state laboratory.
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Lake County, which had its first reported case of the Zika virus last week, is among 20 Florida counties placed under a public health emergency. “But for most athletes who aren’t pregnant or trying to get anyone pregnant, Zika really shouldn’t be something that needs to change their travel that much”.
The symptoms of the Zika virus are very similar to that of dengue and chikungunya; they include fever, muscle and joint pain, conjunctivitis, headache, nausea, and rash.
“This unfortunate situation is a tragic reminder of how important it is to receive proper pre-travel education and to protect yourself from mosquitoes when traveling overseas”, said Vitek. The is the first death related to the disease in the continental U.S. Zika is spread primarily through mosquito bite, but also can be sexually transmitted from male to female or passed from mother to fetus during pregnancy.
The main concern is for the pregnant women to contract the virus due to the risk of birth defects, such as microcephaly. New York City received the lion’s share of cases statewide.
As you know, intraunterine transmission of Zika virus infection from a pregnant woman to her fetus has been documented.
The news comes just two days after US grand open champion golfer Dustin Johnson withdrew from the Olympics with the same worry.
What is the Zika virus?
The transmission of Zika is mostly attributed to mosquitoes, but it can also be transmitted through sexual contact.
How can you prevent mosquito bites?
“Used as directed, Environmental Protection Agency- registered insect repellents are safe and effective, including in breastfeeding and pregnant women”, the authors write.
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Since the Olympic Games will take place as scheduled, a more pertinent question would be to ask is who is going to be held responsible if people are infected at the Games this year?
