Physical Wellness

New Cases Of Zika Virus In The U.S. Reported

By R. Siva Kumar | Update Date: Jan 22, 2016 08:57 AM EST

From Florida and Illinois, new cases of the Zika virus infection have been reported. The three cases from Florida include two from Miami-Dade County, who visited Colombia in December. The third case was a resident from Hillsborough County, who visited Venezuela in December.

Health Department officials told Florida residents to "protect themselves from all mosquito-borne illnesses by draining standing water; covering their skin with repellent and clothing; covering windows with screens and other basic precautions," according to the Examiner.

Also, in Illinois, two pregnant women were said to have contracted the infection. Nirav Shah, director of the Department of Public Health of Illinois said: "Two pregnant Illinois residents who recently traveled to countries where Zika virus is found have tested positive for the virus. Physicians are monitoring their health and pregnancies. There is virtually no risk to Illinois residents since you cannot contract Zika virus from another person, but only through the bite of an infected mosquito," according to Central Illinois Proud.

The Centers for Disease Control has issued a travel alert (Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions) for anyone who plans to visit places where the virus is alive, including places such as El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname, Haiti, Martinique, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

© 2023 Counsel & Heal All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Join the Conversation

Real Time Analytics