Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, is facing a widespread outbreak of Zika. The territory has the mosquito that spreads the virus, and has been hit with massive outbreaks of other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever and chikungunya. On Friday the Puerto Rico Health Department reported that it now has 707 confirmed cases of the virus, including close to 90 pregnant women with the virus. Health authorities have recently confirmed that the virus definitely causes microcephaly, though many questions remain, like when during pregnancy is an infection most risky.
“Residents of and travelers to Puerto Rico should continue to employ mosquito bite avoidance behaviors, take precautions to reduce the risk for sexual transmission, and seek medical care for any acute illness with rash or fever,” the report authors write. “Clinicians who suspect Zika virus disease in patients who reside in or have recently returned from areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission should report cases to public health officials.”
More about:
