Zika in America: Health officials on standby for outbreaks of Zika virus in the U.S. - TomoNews
- 8 years ago
ATLANTA — Health officials are bracing for outbreaks of the Zika virus in the continental United States this summer as warmer weather signals the start of the mosquito season.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will send rapid response teams to any community where the Zika virus is transmitted locally, according to the CDC’s draft interim response plan for the Zika virus.
Infection with the virus in pregnant women causes the birth defect microcephaly and other severe brain abnormalities in babies.
The CDC will monitor Zika cases by determining the travel and sexual history of patients, and whether they are pregnant. Capacity will be increased for laboratory testing, with testing times reduced to help determine how widespread Zika is in any area.
Vector controls of mosquitoes will also be increased, depending on the severity of the outbreak. Blood donations will be monitored in Zika-affected areas and supplies for transfusions brought in from non-affected regions.
Meanwhile, response teams will open lines of communication with the public and advise of any areas that pregnant women should avoid.
Southern U.S. states such as Mississippi, Texas and Florida that are home to the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the primary vector for Zika, have the highest risk of an outbreak, according to a Washington Post report.
However, officials do not expect an explosion of cases in the mainland U.S. due to a higher prevalence of air-conditioning and window screens, and a population that is more widely spread out than in densely populated areas of South America where Zika has taken hold.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will send rapid response teams to any community where the Zika virus is transmitted locally, according to the CDC’s draft interim response plan for the Zika virus.
Infection with the virus in pregnant women causes the birth defect microcephaly and other severe brain abnormalities in babies.
The CDC will monitor Zika cases by determining the travel and sexual history of patients, and whether they are pregnant. Capacity will be increased for laboratory testing, with testing times reduced to help determine how widespread Zika is in any area.
Vector controls of mosquitoes will also be increased, depending on the severity of the outbreak. Blood donations will be monitored in Zika-affected areas and supplies for transfusions brought in from non-affected regions.
Meanwhile, response teams will open lines of communication with the public and advise of any areas that pregnant women should avoid.
Southern U.S. states such as Mississippi, Texas and Florida that are home to the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the primary vector for Zika, have the highest risk of an outbreak, according to a Washington Post report.
However, officials do not expect an explosion of cases in the mainland U.S. due to a higher prevalence of air-conditioning and window screens, and a population that is more widely spread out than in densely populated areas of South America where Zika has taken hold.