Pregnant Spanish woman diagnosed with Zika virus in Europe’s first case

“Today I am directing Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong to declare a public health emergency in the four counties that have individuals with the Zika virus”, Governor Scott began in a statement. Therefore, officials are especially concerned about pregnant women, going as far as to say they should cancel all travels to countries where the disease has spread.

“We know that the mosquitoes that carry Zika virus are present through most of Africa, parts of southern Europe and many parts of Asia, particularly south Asia”, he said.

They are Broward and Miami-Dade in south Florida, Hillsborough in the Tampa region, Lee County in southwest Florida and Santa Rosa County in the Florida Panhandle.

No local mosquitoes have been found with the virus, and all of the reported cases are travel-related.

Based on the order, the state’s agriculture department takes measures, such as spraying against mosquitoes.

Zika first made worldwide headlines in January after it was linked to the almost 4,000 babies who were born in Brazil in the past year with unusually small heads, an incurable condition known as microcephaly.

The virus is typically spread through mosquito bites, but new information suggests it can also be sexually transmitted.

As Saeed’s team works to find a treatment or cure, Alabama health leaders said pregnant women should travel to Zika hot zones.

The Zika virus, which has already spread to more than 30 countries, leads to microcephaly, or shrunken skulls, in newborns.

Mangels said she has friends in Brazil who have been infected by the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the Zika virus is spreading in 26 countries and territories in the Americas. Travelers with fever, rash, joint pain and pink eye will want to protect against bites for one to two weeks after returning.

The total number of cases in the United States has not yet been reported. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting several days to a week.

“There will be no lack of funding to turn around the Zika virus epidemic and handle it in the most efficient and adequate manner we possibly can due to its effects on our population”, he said.