Officials said the two women whose infants were born with Zika-related birth defects had traveled and spent time in a country were the virus is widespread.
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Following reported local mosquito transmission of zika virus infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) on Wednesday issued a zika virus travel notice for Antigua and Barbuda and the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).
The department reported that 114 travel-associated Zika virus infections have been reported in 22 California counties as of July 29.
Earlier this week, the CDC warned pregnant women to avoid a neighborhood in Miami, Florida after more than a dozen people became infected with the virus, likely from mosquitoes in the area.
Texas has reported 93 Zika infections, all of which are believed to have been contracted overseas.
A NUMBER of people living in Scotland have been diagnosed with the Zika virus. In both cases, the mothers contracted the virus while pregnant, after spending time in a country where Zika is spreading.
Aerial mosquito spraying is now underway in Miami in an effort to control mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus.
At six, Florida is the only state with confirmed locally-acquired cases.
The mosquito-borne virus – transmitted through the bites of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes – has been spreading at epidemic levels in Latin America and the Caribbean throughout the previous year.
53 Brits have been diagnosed with the Zika virus so far this year. We know Zika is most harmful to pregnant women and their babies and we must work to protect them.
The species of mosquito that carries the virus does not survive harsh winters in IL, but public health officials say they continue to trap and test mosquitos statewide just in case. “The most important factor in keeping the risk low is the vigilance of County residents in identifying and eliminating possible breeding grounds”, said Diana Gomez, MPH, director of the Yuma County Public Health Services District.
The Zika virus has spread through South America and the US territories where it’s been transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, called Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus.
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CDPH officials said that 21 pregnant women were among those infected.
