Zika Virus Spreads to Miami
Five known cases of Zika have appeared in the United States.
More stories from Jayme Bailey
In this Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016 photo, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes sit in a petri dish at the Fiocruz institute in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. The mosquito is a vector for the proliferation of the Zika virus spreading throughout Latin America. New figures from Brazil’s Health Ministry show that the Zika virus outbreak has not caused as many confirmed cases of a rare brain defect as first feared. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
The mosquito-borne illness Zika Virus is no longer just an ongoing threat to Brazil, Argentina, and other countries; Zika has officially spread to the United States. So far, only five individuals are affected as we know.
In a statement from NBC News concerning the recent Zika outbreak, Governor Rick Scott confirmed “Zika is now spreading to in two places in Florida: in Miami Beach as well as an area north of Miami.”
Zika is a disease transferred from mosquitoes. The symptoms for Zika include rash, red eyes, joint pain or fever. The Zika virus is only a real threat for pregnant women and their unborn babies. It can cause a birth defect microcephaly and other severe birth defects. There is no cure or vaccination to prevent getting Zika, but one can limit their chances of extracting this illness by wearing bug repellent, staying out of areas with the virus or wearing long, protective clothing.