The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people limit travel to areas with active transmission of these viruses, and that pregnant women not travel to these areas at all.
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Jose Rodriguez with Columbus Public Health says they expect to see more of these “imported” Zika cases with the rise in summer travel.
He said much of the work surrounding the Zika virus has gone on behind doors, with planning meetings, aggressive testing of mosquitos, especially downstate, and a public relations push to alert pregnant women who are traveling. Both cases – one in Douglas County and one in Sarpy County – were also travel-related.
The Zika virus is most concerning for pregnant women, because microcephaly and other fetal brain defects have been linked to the infection during pregnancy. Although officials have not confirmed any mosquitoes to be infected with the virus on Long Island, it’s possible that the 41 on LI who’ve been diagnosed with Zika got it by traveling overseas. “Women who are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, are advised to avoid travel to affected areas”. The researcher said that the environmental conditions that persist at the U.S. -Mexico border are suitable for the growth of Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is also responsible for the transmission of Zika virus. “Knowing what to do to protect yourself from Zika will help you safely enjoy your trip overseas, and can help prevent Zika from spreading in the continental United States”. Once they’ve got the bugs, a very long process begins to identify mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus. But we do know that it can be spread through mosquito bites and sexual contact with infected partners.
The congress desires the Zika problem to be solved as soon as possible.
More than 1,100 Zika illnesses have been reported in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, including six in Salt Lake County, according to health officials.
The Zika virus is not transmitted from person-to-person except through sexual intercourse.
Researchers will be putting out traps, looking for the virus carrying mosquito for the next two months.
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People who may have acquired one of these infections should continue to minimize bite risk, as mosquitoes that bite them can transmit the virus to others.
