Connecticut Has ‘Clear And Present Stake’ In Zika Epidemic, Authorities Say

The Massachusetts Health Department confirmed this week that a Boston man has the ZIKA virus.

But there are still serious concerns about pregnant women traveling to countries where Zika cases have been reported.

“Women who are pregnant should definitely consider not going to countries that have high degrees of incidence of this disease, but some will have to go to those countries, whether to visit family or for business reasons and so in the long term, simply not traveling is not a solution”, he said.

Microcephaly is a birth defect that causes babies to be born with smaller heads than normal and often have developmental problems.

The first Zika case in Europe has been detected in Denmark with a Danish tourist contracting the virus during his stay in south and central America.

Common symptoms, which usually last up to a week, include fever, rash, joint pain or red eyes.

World health officials say the Zika Virus is “spreading explosively” and could impact millions in the western hemisphere.

Most people do not need to be hospitalized from the disease. However, 31 USA residents who are believed to have been infected in Latin America or the Caribbean were diagnosed with Zika in the past year in Washington, D.C., and 11 states.

Colombia, a traditionally right-wing country that has arguably been pushed leftwards by current President Juan Manuel Santos, has been the second hardest-hit country, according to the Associated Press (AP).

About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus get sick. The agency is also reviewing a request from closely held Oxitec Ltd.to allow the company to study genetically engineered mosquitoes that are meant to suppress the mosquitoes spreading Zika and other diseases.

“We’re very concerned and we’ll step up our surveillance for these mosquitoes”, he said. “However if you are women of child bearing age, are pregnant, trying to become pregnant then I would not travel there.” said May. They are found in Brazil, Puerto Rico, and even Florida.