Zika is no longer a major threat in Florida
U.S. health officials are easing warnings against travel to Florida and other regions of the country where the Zika virus had been circulating.
Zika, mostly spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, continues to be a problem in other parts of the world, but is no longer considered the threat it was in South Florida only two years ago when the virus swept across the area.
Thus far this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has had no reported cases of Zika, while in 2016 there were 5,168 symptomatic Zika virus disease cases reported — with 218 of them in Florida.
Last month, the CDC downgraded its warning and issued new guidelines for people traveling outside the United States. The new guidelines urge women who are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant to talk to their health-care providers about potential Zika risks before traveling to areas at risk. The biggest concern is that the mosquitoborne virus can cause severe birth defects. There is no vaccine to prevent infection and the danger to a fetus is most severe during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.
In Florida and the rest of the United States, mosquito control measures helped stop the spread of the virus. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection used a comprehensive plan to that included eliminating mosquito breeding areas and encouraging the use of insect repellent, especially with visitors.
In previous years, the CDC told women who were pregnant or might become pregnant to stay away from nearly 100 countries or regions. Now, the CDC recommendations are advising people to avoid travel only to places where there are active Zika outbreaks, which at this time is India.
The Zika virus has the potential to to cause Guillain-Barre syndrome which can cause muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis, although most reported cases have only mild symptoms. The CDC is recommending pregnant women and couples planning a pregnancy within the next three months consult with a healthcare provider about risks and consequences when making the decision to travel to countries where Zika even has the potential to be present.