Puerto Rico reports its first mosquito-borne Zika case

Authorities link the deformation during pregnancy to mosquitos carrying the Zika virus, the New York Times reported. The tropical yellow fever mosquito, found throughout the Gulf Coast states, Florida, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, and related insects from the Aedes species are its major transmitters. The infection was mostly benign in children and adults, some suffered from fever and red rashes, while others may not have any symptoms.

Its feverish symptoms were first discovered in Uganda in the 1940s and have since become endemic in parts of Africa, also spreading to the South Pacific and areas of Asia.

None except Brazil have found any indication of corresponding birth defects, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Since then, the officials have been recommending to the Brazilian women to delay their pregnancies as much as possible.

The Zika virus disease – which does not have a preventative vaccine or specific treatment – has made its way to Puerto Rico for the first time in history. The most common symptoms of the virus include headaches, conjunctivitis, arthralgia, fever, rashes and malaise.

British Virgin Islands medical officer of health, Dr Ronald Georges, said, “The zika virus is now present in the OECS, Martinique and Puerto Rico and considering the volume of travel between the BVI and these islands, there is a need for increased surveillance and heightened awareness of this virus and its impact on human health”. Health experts warn the virus could appear anywhere in the glob. Newborns with microcephaly are born with abnormally small heads, and this leads to either severe developmental issues or occasionally death.

The most recent activity of the Zika Virus includes three confirmed cases in Panama and two confirmed cases in Honduras bringing the total to 10 member states with confirmed cases.

Because the Zika virus is responsible for the microcephaly cases in Brazil, people are advised to delay their birthing plans, avoid mosquito bites and prevent their reproduction.

For now, Brazilian locals and tourists visiting affected regions are being urged to remain hyper-vigilant about keeping mosquitos away from themselves and their homes, and federal and local governments are making an effort to eradicate stagnant ponds that could act as breeding grounds.

According to other news agencies, health officials have reported many cases of microcephaly in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. It went from 200 cases in 2014 to 3,000 cases recorded in 2015 and now the country has announced a state of emergency for those places that have been hit hard by this epidemic.

Brazil is already now dealing with another health outbreak that is threatening the country.