Scott Seeks Federal Help With Zika Virus

The Zika virus is particularly troubling due to the potential birth defects it is known to cause, including babies born with neurological defects and abnormally small heads.

Mosquitoes that can transmit the Zika virus are found in the US, but so far aside from the Dallas sexual transmission case all the infections reported in the continental United States have been among travelers who got infected elsewhere. Gadelha underscored that the discovery needn’t alter Carnival plans for anyone but pregnant women.

The disease causes illness including joint pain and high fevers in people who contract it. One of the problems with Zika is that symptoms only appear in about 20 percent of people who have it. Consequently, the CDC is advising that people take special precautions after visiting an area where Zika is now making the rounds.

At this time, there is no treatment or vaccine for the Zika virus.

As Zika’s impact continues to grow, health officials are still struggling to answer basic questions about how the virus works. Its updated guidelines also call for those without symptoms to be tested two to 12 weeks after returning from travel. The hospital also is establishing protocols to diagnose patients whose symptoms match the virus and is taking steps to identify and monitor pregnant women who may have been exposed.

USA health officials on Friday suggested people who live in or have traveled to areas affected by the Zika virus outbreak should use condoms or stop having sex.

Public Health Minister Jane Ellison said: “Disinsection is a highly precautionary measure to reduce the risk to passengers during flights to the UK”.

Still, most global experts are cautious about whether Zika can trigger Guillain-Barre, a rare syndrome that causes paralysis, because other infections and conditions can lead to the illness.

Earlier this week, health officials in Brazil confirmed two cases of Zika virus in blood transfusions.

The CDC has recommended that pregnant women postpone trips to countries with Zika outbreaks, mostly in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus are more likely to buzz off when blasted by bug spray containing the plantlike ingredient Picaridin, a Consumer Reports study claims.

Tom Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a conference call Friday morning that he recognized how scary the unfolding crisis has been to pregnant women.

It remains unclear exactly how the Zika virus, which could infect millions within the year according to health experts, is transmitted and whether it can possibly be transmitted through sexual intercourse.

Keaten reported from Geneva.