Minnesota Health Officials Warn People of Zika Virus

“But since this is a time of year when people travel to warmer climates and countries where Zika virus is found, we are urging residents, especially pregnant women, to take preventive measures when traveling in affected countries and check health travel advisories”.

One of the mosquitoes that can carry the virus, Aedes aegypti, is not common in Hawaii.

Among these cases, 224 have been confirmed related to the virus, while the others are still under investigation.

Guzman Marcelino reiterated the importance of eliminating the breeding sites for mosquitoes.

The Zika virus is spread when a mosquito bites an infected person and then bites someone else.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis, usually appearing within 3-7 days of infection.

Mosquitoes are blamed for an outbreak of the Zika virus.

Expecting mothers are at greater risk and the virus has been linked to birth defects in Brazil.

Aedes aegypti is the mosquito that carries the dengue and Zika viruses, among others. The The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, announced new guidance for doctors whose pregnant patients may have traveled to regions with a tropical illness linked to birth defects.

Release of GM bugs in the U.S.is a possibility too, and interest in the idea might accelerate if Zika or unexplained cases of microcephaly spring up in Florida. Dr. Cynthia Moore of the CDC told reporters during a conference call last week that it’s hard to predict at birth how the condition will affect a child. “When microcephaly is severe, babies can have other symptoms such as seizures, vision problems and developmental disabilities”, she explained. All of the USA cases thus far have involved people who traveled to Latin America.

Colombian officials reported Wednesday that over 13,5000 cases of the mosquito-transmitted zika virus have been detected and the number of affected people in the country could rise to 700,000 as health experts warn the zika epidemic may spread to all of Latin America.

So when there are mosquitoes about, follow the normal guidelines to keep yourself safe, use mosquito repellent, wear long sleeve clothes and hats.

Park said the Hawaii case is a reminder that there’s potential for diseases to be introduced to new areas.