on 30-07-2016 07:23
I started the Zika Virus thread in January when it was first found to be in Brazil South America.
Breaking news this morning. It's now in Florida.
Four people suffering from the Zika virus in Florida are probably the first cases contracted within the US, health officials say. These are in the Miami Dade and Broward Counties areas
I have started a new thread as the advice is...newly pregnant women planning to fly to these areas for any reason (including holidays) should think of postponing their trip
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/29/health/florida-health-officials-confirm-local-zika-transmission/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-36926425
Veritas Numquam Perit
30-07-2016 07:37 - edited 30-07-2016 07:40
30-07-2016 07:37 - edited 30-07-2016 07:40
NB....Started a new thread as it's breaking news and holiday season. Florida is a very popular destination....maybe it could be merged later in the year....?
Veritas Numquam Perit
on 30-07-2016 07:45
on 30-07-2016 07:45
on 30-07-2016 08:07
on 30-07-2016 08:07
It's important because this appears to be the first case of 'home grown' Zika. In other words it was not brought in by people carrying the virus after travel abroad. They have not found a zika carrying mosquito in Florida as yet....but this would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Florida has many swamp lands ..an ideal breeding place for mosquitos.
Veritas Numquam Perit
on 30-07-2016 08:14
on 30-07-2016 08:14
Yes that's the main reason I only ever visited the Keys once but to be honest, it was inevitable
30-07-2016 08:34 - edited 30-07-2016 08:35
30-07-2016 08:34 - edited 30-07-2016 08:35
Public Health (England) are currently advising pregnant women should 'think about not going'.
Also non pregnant women who 'may get pregnant' are advised to take precautions for 8 weeks after return
Advice also applies to men to take precautions to avoid the risk of sexual transmission
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/disease-prevention-advice/zika-virus-infection.aspx
Updated advice can be found following this link
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/zika-virus-country-specific-risk
A specialist in tropical diseases has just been on BBC news and stressed it isn't near to Orlando (theme park area) but this news is updated daily...so it could be there soon..
Veritas Numquam Perit
on 30-07-2016 09:13
on 30-07-2016 09:13
on 30-07-2016 10:06
on 30-07-2016 10:06
It will spread though to the rest of Florid a and neighbouring states. Has it yet been decided if carriers can spread this, I know they are advising men to use protective. That's worrying because a lot of Brits so affected are going to be coming back to the UK. We all know how a Friday night out usually ends and protection is the last thing on people's minds when they have had too much to drink.
on 30-07-2016 10:11
on 30-07-2016 10:11
Here you go @jonsie Full info on how it's spread. I think it will surprise some people...
http://www.cdc.gov/zika/transmission/
Veritas Numquam Perit
on 30-07-2016 10:17
on 30-07-2016 10:17
There you go, quite shocking. It won't be long then before we have it serially transmitted or via blood transfusion in the UK. Hopefully a new question for blood donors will be whether they have visited Florida recently....