5 things about Zika virus

Reports of Zika virus disease so far have been confined to Mexico’s southern states, and February temperatures in Juárez are too cold for mosquitoes, he said.

The Metropolitan Health District tested six people in Bexar County for Zika virus, the mosquito-borne illness that’s plagued Central and South America, and can cause birth defects in newborn babies.

The other case is in Alberta, according to Alberta Health.

It is also calling on the public to help control the spread of Aedes mosquitoes and dengue, a viral disease which affects thousands in the Southeast Asian nation every year. In toddlers, the Zika virus appears like a flu and requires the same treatment. “And to try and give them this advance notice to talk about it with their ob-gyn about what they can do to avoid mosquito bites while they are there”, said Castodale.

“By precaution we recommend that a woman who is pregnant, or who intends to get pregrant, delay their trip to those countries”.

There are five confirmed cases in New York State, including in New York City, Monroe, Orange and Nassau counties.

Dr. Horacio Arruda, Quebec’s director of public health, said earlier Friday that the case in that province surfaced after a woman returned from the Caribbean with flu-like symptoms in early January.

At a special meeting on Thursday in Geneva, WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan said the virus – which has been linked to birth defects and neurological problems was becoming much more of a threat.

The World Health Organization says it is convening an emergency committee on Monday to decide if the Zika virus outbreak should be declared an global health emergency.

Most who are infected will develop a mild fever, rash, aches and red eyes, similar to pink eye.

Evidence is strong Zika could be causing pregnant women to miscarry or deliver babies with abnormally small brains.