USA health officials have cautioned for months that the summer mosquito season was likely to bring local outbreaks, with Gulf Coast states such as Florida, Texas and Louisiana on the frontlines. Bergen And Passaic counties have the most cases with 14 apiece.
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“As far as surveillance is concerned we have multiple systems in place both to identify people who may get infected as well as trapping and testing mosquitoes”, said Dr. Nelson.
Zika, which often comes with no symptoms, is very unsafe for pregnant women.
“As we have anticipated, Zika is now here”, said Tom Frieden, chief of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), speaking to reporters in a conference call.
The outbreak of Zika virus in Florida caused an alarm to the officials of Department Health due to the assumption that the said virus was transmitted locally.
Not only are British health officials issuing a new warning about traveling to Florida, but even New Yorkers are having second thoughts as health officials in South Florida are taking preemptive steps like spraying. “It’s a national issue – we just happen to be at the forefront”, Scott said.
Dr Gavin Boyd, head of infection control at the Calderdale and Huddersfield hospitals, told the Yorkshire Post there “is no specific treatment for Zika and it usually wears off naturally after two to seven days”. The agency warns that Canadians travelling to regions where Zika is prevalent should protect themselves against mosquito bites by using insect repellant, wearing protective clothing and using mosquito nets, and to use condoms if engaging in sexual activity with people who may have been exposed.
In Puerto Rico, over 4,500 cases of the virus, virtually all contracted through mosquitoes, was reported.
Florida has now announced aggressive mosquito-control measures, although the evidence from South America, where the outbreak started, is that these have limited benefit.
Some medical experts said pregnant women should not travel to the Miami area, especially if it involves spending time outdoors.
A CDC spokesperson said the question of whether to issue a travel recommendation is “literally a day-by-day decision”.
“We don’t now see a situation where we would advise people not to travel there or advise pregnant women not to travel there”, Frieden said.
The Orlando area is teeming with an influx of tourists, attending the cluster of theme parks in the area such as Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld.
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Scott has allocated over $25 million in state funds for Zika response, and the White House and the CDC have provided over $10 million.
