USOC to hire disease specialists for Zika

Discovered in Uganda in 1947, the current outbreak of Zika virus in Brazil began in early 2015 and has spread to over 20 other countries in the Americas, including Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Two more people have been infected by the Zika virus in Florida, including one more person in Miami-Dade County, Florida Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong said Thursday.

DCHHS conducted the preliminary test and plans to send the results to the CDC for further analysis.

Zika, however, is suspected of causing microcephaly, a birth defect marked by an abnormally small head, and pregnant women are urged to avoid travel to affected areas.

“For example, Colombia had 3000 pregnant women with Zika, no cases of microcephaly”.

The virus was confirmed after a blood test was conducted on the patient.

A pregnant Victorian woman has been diagnosed with Zika virus after returning from overseas.

“Right now, based on all the available evidence, if you’re living in the US and not traveling or having intimate contact with someone with the virus, I’m not concerned that you’ll get it”, said Dr. Michael Loeven, who practices at WellSpan Health’s family medicine office in Manheim.

Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. The Centers for Disease Control have set up a dedicated website at cdc.gov/zika and the New York State Department of Health has established a Zika Information Line: 1-888-364-4723. Tests are being conducted from Alabama resident specimens with a travel history to areas where Zika virus outbreaks are ongoing.

California public health department officials on Wednesday said there have been six Zika cases reported in the state since 2013, but the Yolo County case was the first this year.

The mosquitoes that can carry the virus are not typically found in Maryland.

Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Castro confirmed the findings at a press conference, while announcing that a new partnership with scientists at the University of Texas could lead to laboratory development of a vaccine within a year. “I will be evaluating the President’s supplemental funding request to ensure that it both meets the criteria for emergency spending and provides the resources necessary to stop the spread of this virus”.

The little understood virus was previously believed to cause only minor symptoms, including a fever, rash and muscle aches, and often no symptoms at all. “Local transmission of Zika by mosquitoes is very unlikely, given the weather and environmental conditions”.