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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Zika virus may cause birth defects — and experts think it's coming to the US
The Zika virus may cause birth defects and experts think it's coming to the USby Julia Belluz at Vox
http://www.vox.com/2016/1/5/10716530/zika-virus-disease
"SNIP...........
The Zika virus a rare tropical disease that's causing a panic in Brazil because it may cause babies to be born with abnormally small heads has made its way to Puerto Rico. And experts fear the mainland United States could be next.
Until last year, the Zika virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, was mainly confined to Africa and Asia. But in 2015 the disease made the leap to the Western Hemisphere, affecting more than a million people in Brazil. It's since spread to Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, and 10 other countries.
On December 31, the first confirmed case in the US was reported in Puerto Rico. This case suggested local transmission that a mosquito in Puerto Rico was carrying the virus since the patient hadn't been traveling.
Meanwhile, travelers returning to other parts of the US have also been diagnosed with the virus, but so far there have been no other reported cases of local transmission on the mainland.
...........SNIP"
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The Zika virus may cause birth defects — and experts think it's coming to the US (Original Post)
applegrove
Jan 2016
OP
malaise
(269,182 posts)1. We're watching nervously
There's one case in Haiti as well.
applegrove
(118,793 posts)2. Vibes to all the people in Latin America.
whathehell
(29,094 posts)3. Anything in Costs Rica that you know of? n/t
malaise
(269,182 posts)5. Here's a good link
http://www.ticotimes.net/2015/06/05/costa-rica-health-officials-alert-first-confirmed-cases-zika-virus-americas
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Bottom line - use mosquito repellent, exercise, eat properly, drink lots of water/coconut water. If you're staying in a guest house make sure your windows have mesh.
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Bottom line - use mosquito repellent, exercise, eat properly, drink lots of water/coconut water. If you're staying in a guest house make sure your windows have mesh.
whathehell
(29,094 posts)10. Thanks, Malaise
Will.do.
Warpy
(111,352 posts)6. Good news for the Caribbean is the dengue vaccine now being used large scale in Mexico
If the large scale use confirms its effectiveness against all 4 subtypes of dengue, that's one real stinker of a disease you won't have to fear for much longer.
malaise
(269,182 posts)7. Now we have to worry about ChickV (chikungunya) and Zika
Actually we aren't worried - we use repellent, exercise and drink lots of water/coconut water.
Chick V is deadly if you have pre-existing conditions.
Warpy
(111,352 posts)8. It's still a bit milder than Dengue
I know if I ever manage to visit, I'll have to reek like a Girl Scout camp the whole time.
malaise
(269,182 posts)9. Depends on where you go
We know when to use it - we don't use repellent most of the time - that said our place has meshed windows and some doors.
Warpy
(111,352 posts)4. Little is known so far, it's an emerging viral disease carried by mosquitoes
but it seems to cause a fairly mild, flu like illness in adults but if it strikes during a pregnancy, the fetus will be born microcephalic, which means severe retardation if it lives long outside the womb. Most don't.
I have high hopes that there will be a vaccine before it becomes widespread across the globe.