Florida Declares Emergency Over Zika Virus

The illness has been linked to brain damage in newborns.

The CDC reportedly said Wednesday that it will provide more guidance as more information on Zika virus transmission through sex is learned, but in the meantime, “Sexual partners can protect each other by using condoms to prevent spreading sexually transmitted infections”.

The L.A. County Department of Public Health has received numerous reports from physicians of possible Zika cases, and officials have sent a number of patient specimens to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing, said Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, the county’s interim health officer.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) says it has confirmed the first travel-related case of the Zika virus in the state.

Zika is transmitted when a mosquito bites someone who has been recently infected, and then bites another person. Health officials believe all of the cases are from people who contracted the disease while traveling to affected countries.

The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).

Carissa Etienne, the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) director, earlier said the body needed $8.5 million to help countries tackle the health emergency. Some countries in the region have advised women to delay pregnancy, and the CDC advises pregnant women to delay travel to those areas where Zika is spreading.

The outbreak of Zika virus is also leading to some area businesses to take precautions.

Zika is prompting worldwide concern because of an alarming connection to a neurological birth disorder and the rapid spread of the virus across the globe.

One major problem is that, under Brazilian law, it is illegal for researchers and institutions to share genetic material, including blood samples containing Zika and other viruses.

So far, there have been few cases of Zika found in North America.

People are usually infected through mosquito bites, but the disease can be sexually transmitted as well.

“A person gets infected with Zika virus in Brazil, comes up to the United States, flies into Florida”, LaPook said.

Officials said with the Olympics being hosted in Brazil, they’re predicting the numbers will rise as travelers make their way to and from the games.

There is no vaccine or medicine available for Zika virus.

While Thompson told the television station that the case of sexual transmission is “a game-changer”, he added that he didn’t want people in Dallas County to overreact.