Florida Gov. Rick Scott Declares Zika Emergency

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – On Monday, the World Health Organization declared a “public health emergency of worldwide concern” over the Zika virus.

A doctor can use a blood test to determine whether the infection is Zika virus or another mosquito-borne illness such as chikungunya or dengue.

One other case confirmed in Dallas County and a half-a-dozen confirmed cases in Houston were all travel-related, health officials say. “We know that we must be prepared for the worst even as we hope for the best”, Scott added Wednesday.

In addition to the two cases in Hillsborough, there are four in Miami-Dade County, two in Lee County and one in Santa Rosa County.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has voiced concerns about the alleged sexual transmission of the Zika virus in the United States, calling for a thorough probe into the case.

With origins linked to Brazil, the Zika virus made its way to the USA after travelers got infected and returned to the states. Honduras is now reporting 3649 confirmed cases of Zika infections and has also declared a state of national emergency.

Symptoms of Zika, which is transmitted through Aedes species mosquitoes, usually include fever, headache, rash, red eyes, and joint pain, the Ministry of Health said in a statement last week.

The person infected did not travel to the South American country, agency officials said.

“We are advising pregnant women to take those precautions to avoid chances of getting bit by a mosquito and the potential complications that come of that”, said public health nurse Stephanie Vendetti-Hastie with the Sudbury and District Health Unit.

The virus is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito which is endemic to tropical regions but is not a complete stranger to Europe where it has been sighted sporadically.

Health officials say it is extremely important that anyone who has traveled to outbreak countries should protect themselves from additional mosquito bites. Babies born with microcephaly have abnormally small heads, which can lead to developmental issues. But their sexual partner had.

Some pregnant women with Zika gave birth to babies with birth defects.

The virus has thrust long-haul and honeymoon destinations like Mexico and the Dominican Republic into the spotlight, with the Department of Foreign Affairs changing its travel advice for 32 countries in recent days.