Florida counties declare health emergencies due to Zika virus

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the virus is strongly suspected to cause microcephaly and has called the Zika virus “a global health emergency”.

As it stands, there have been 11 confirmed Zika virus cases in NY, according to the state Department of Health. The Florida Department of Health will continue to work with the CDC and other health institutes. He gave no details on the patients, including whether any is pregnant.

Zika has been reported in 30 countries since it first appeared in the Americas previous year in Brazil, where it has been linked to thousands of babies being born with microcephaly.

Western Australian adult who recently returned from central America has been diagnosed with the Zika virus, state health officials said.

As per the reports, the first case was confirmed in Texas, USA in January 2016 in a traveller returning from Latin America.

Of the 48 total cases reported in the United States to date, only one appears to be an example of “local transmission”, i.e. contracting Zika while inside the U.S.

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff said Thursday that the two countries are working together to develop a vaccine for the Zika virus, but warned it might take some time. He emphasized that the four new possible cases are all among travelers.

Neither one of the women was hospitalized because of the primarily mosquito-borne virus, the release said.

Thompson described the virus as being “contained” locally.

Spain’s health ministry sought to ease concerns, pointing out that all seven patients had caught the disease while overseas.

In Florida, there are nine cases all in people who traveled.

There is now no treatment for Zika. “They should practice safe sex”, said Thompson.

“It’s February, it’s not mosquito season … and this isn’t a communicable disease”, Williams said.

Women of childbearing age, who want to avoid become pregnant, have been advised to use contraceptives and those who want to become pregnant are asked to get monitored and opt for preventive measures to avoid the virus.

In addition to the public health emergency, Governor Scott put emphasis on mosquito control in residential areas.