niman Posted January 30, 2016 Report Posted January 30, 2016 Media reports cite 5 confirmed and 4 suspect Zika cases in Harris County and 6 suspect cases in Bexar County. Official number of confirmed cases in Texas at 6.
niman Posted January 30, 2016 Author Report Posted January 30, 2016 5 confirmed, 4 suspected Zika cases in area, officials sayUpdated 1:13 pm, Friday, January 29, 2016Zika infections have been confirmed in five travelers returning to the Houston area and are suspected in four more, city and county health officials said Friday.At meeting of public health officials and medical providers, the officials said three confirmed and two suspected cases involved travel to El Salvador. The Houston Health Department confirmed two case, one in a woman returning from Colombia and another in man from Honduras, and have two additional presumed cases.None of those infected were pregnant at the time of their infection.Dr. Brian Arenare, Director of Disease Control and Clinical Prevention for Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services, said the half dozen cases are likely just the tip of the iceberg for the Houston region."Our physicians didn't know they should be testing for Zika. Now they know," he said. "We're faced with, before the bona fide mosquito season actually begins, having this important opportunity to plan what kinds of steps need to be in place now, so that we're as far ahead of the curve as we can be."http://www.chron.com/houston/article/More-cases-few-answers-on-Zika-in-Houston-6793265.php
niman Posted January 30, 2016 Author Report Posted January 30, 2016 Map updatehttps://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&hl=en&authuser=0&authuser=0&mid=zv94AJqgUct4.kT4qLMXp3SLU
niman Posted January 30, 2016 Author Report Posted January 30, 2016 Metro Health: Six people in Bexar Co. tested for Zika virusAnusha Roy, KENS 510:55 p.m. CST January 29, 2016CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORESAN ANTONIO -- Metro Health officials confirmed to KENS 5 that six people are being tested for the Zika virus in Bexar County.They have not confirmed that any of the patients contracted the virus. Test results from the CDC could be available by next week.The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is encouraging people to not panic. There have been no confirmed cases of Texas mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus, which Dr. Anil Mangla said indicates the virus is not spreading locally."If you are not traveling outside of the U.S. you don't have the risk of Zika as of yet," Dr. Mangla said.Officials stressed that if the six Bexar County patients have the virus, they would have been infected outside the United States. Metro Health officials added that the six had traveled to a variety of South American countries, and none of them are pregnant.The mosquito-borne illness has spread to 22 countries in the Americas, including Brazil. After a surge of babies born were born there with small heads and underdeveloped brains, researchers are worried the virus could be linked to the birth defects. The CDC is warning expectant moms to not travel to countries battling the virus.Cases have already been diagnosed in the U.S., including six cases in Southeast Texas, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. In a statement, DSHS said all the people diagnosed with Zika traveled to areas where the virus is spreading.The CDC has now passed down guidelines for doctors to ask patients about their travel history if they are showing symptoms, including fever, rash, conjunctivitis and joint pain.There currently is no vaccine or treatment for the Zika virus. If you must travel, experts recommend you let your doctor know so you can be checked out when coming back to the country.http://www.kens5.com/story/news/health/your-health/2016/01/29/metro-health-six-people-bexar-co-tested-zika-virus/79529324/
niman Posted January 30, 2016 Author Report Posted January 30, 2016 6 confirmed cases of Zika virus in TX, 6 more being tested in Bexar Co.Everyone being tested had traveled to South AmericaBy Chris Shadrock - Web - News ProducerPosted: 5:04 PM, January 29, 2016Updated: 9:41 AM, January 30, 20161K Twitter 1KSAN ANTONIO - The state of Texas has six confirmed travel-related cases of Zika virus disease in the state. The travelers were infected abroad and diagnosed after they returned home.There has been no reported local transmission of the disease in the continental United States.More Health HeadlinesMosquitoes carrying Zika virus harmful to pregnant womenLocal OB/GYN advises pregnant women to avoid travel to southThe announcement comes on the same day MetroHealth confirmed that six people in Bexar County have been tested for the virus after showing symptoms.Zika is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause fever, rash, muscle and joint aches and pinkeye. Symptoms are usually mild, and most people exposed to Zika virus won’t develop any symptoms at all.There have been reports of microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant.The Texas Department of State Health Services is encouraging people to follow travel precautions for regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.DSHS recommends travelers avoid mosquito bites while abroad and for seven days after returning, in case they have been exposed to Zika virus. People can protect themselves from mosquito bites by:Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pantsUsing EPA-registered insect repellentsUsing permethrin-treated clothing and gear Staying and sleeping in screened-in or air-conditioned roomshttp://www.ksat.com/health/half-dozen-people-in-bexar-co-being-tested-for-zika-virus
niman Posted January 30, 2016 Author Report Posted January 30, 2016 Six Cases of Zika Virus Confirmed in Texas: OfficialsPregnant Women Grow Concerned About Zika Virus, Cancel TripsBy Kevin CokelyState health officials say there are now six confirmed cases of Zika virus in Texas, and travel agents are hearing from pregnant women and others who want to change their travel plans due to the virus."A lot of concern," said Steve Cosgrove at Southlake's Dynamic Travel and Cruises. "They're pleased that the major carriers are allowing them to cancel or re-book with no penalty. Carnival is now allowing people to rebook with no penalty, but quite a bit of concern out there."Fired Officer Guilty in Human SmugglingAbout a dozen of his clients this week canceled cruises and other trips because of the virus."Cancel, rebook, reschedule, pick another destination," said Cosgrove.Louisiana Jury Convicts Businessman for BriberyOthers who don't plan to travel are also concerned about their unborn babies, reaching out to their doctors with questions about the virus."(They say) 'Do we need to do something, do we need to be worried?'" said Dr. Kelli Culpepper, OB-GYN at Medical City Dallas. "I said, at this point, no. We don't have it in Dallas, but I'm going to tell you the same thing I tell every patient every spring when West Nile season starts: use bug spray."Texas Man Extradited to New Jersey for MurderCulpepper advises pregnant women to avoid traveling to countries affected by the Zika virus."I would say if you don't have to take the trip, don't take it. Don't take it," said Culpepper. "It's just not worth the risk."VIDEOEthan Couch: What Happens Next?The Texas Department of State Health Services said Friday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed six cases of Zika in Southeast Texas. All of the cases are associated with travel to areas where Zika is currently being transmitted.Published at 9:52 PM CST on Jan 29, 2016http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/Pregnant-Women-Grow-Concerned-About-Zika-Virus-Cancel-Trips-367050111.html
niman Posted January 30, 2016 Author Report Posted January 30, 2016 Texas Health Officials Brace for More Zika Virus Cases After Six Confirmed Statewide55 1 File Photo: Victor Moriyama/Getty Imagesby MERRILL HOPE30 Jan 201614The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS)confirmed six travel-related cases of Zika virus in the state, as of late Friday, with four more cases suspected. Public health officials and medical providers are bracing for more cases, worried this could be the tip of the iceberg.On Friday, Houston public health officials confirmed five Zika virus cases. Dr. Brian Arenare, Director of Disease Control and Clinical Prevention for Harris County Public Health and Environmental Sciences, commented on the challenges of formulating a preparedness plan for a virus with limited published scientific data, according tothe Houston Chronicle. He said: “We’re faced with, before the bona fide mosquito season actually begins, having this important opportunity to plan what kinds of steps need to be in place now, so that we’re as far ahead of the curve as we can be.”So far, all Texans with confirmed cases of Zika contracted the virus abroad and were diagnosed when they returned stateside says the state health agency. However, Dr. Peter Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, believes the Texas Gulf Coast could be “hardest hit” in a Zika outbreak, hetold the Houston newspaper. The virus is carried by same two types of Aedes mosquitoes that carry Dengue fever, prevalent on the Texas-Mexico border, and Chikungunya, which first entered the state in 2014, with more cases last year, Breitbart Texas reported. These mosquitoes like to reproduce in standing water close to humans. Hotez cited Houston’s economically depressed areas as prime breeding grounds.In North Texas, Dallas County health officials want to better prepare themselves in case of an outbreak by asking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for approval to locally test in May, the start of mosquito season in the region when the virus could spread. On Jan. 26, Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Zachary Thompson told NBC DFW (KXAS) that the county is “taking the proactive step of seeking certification of our lab so that we can be able to do the test locally” and hopes the CDC will approve local testing by May. Presently, Dallas County sends suspect blood samples to Atlanta-based CDC for testing.Dallas last faced a serious health threat in 2014 when a Liberian man, infected with the highly contagious Ebola virus, brought the first case of the deadly illness into the U.S. through Dallas, which Breitbart Texas covered extensively. It spread to two nurses treating the man. He later died, sparking a panic across the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, which remained on edge for months.Breitbart Texas’ Lana Shadwick reported on Saturday that Bexar County health officials in San Antonio confirmed they tested six people for Zika virus, none of them were pregnant. They await results from the CDC. The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District does not want Bexar County residents to panic since there are no confirmed cases of native Texas mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus, which, according to Dr. Anil Magla, means that the virus is not spreading locally, and only exists in travel-related cases to affected regions.Dr. Nikos Vasilakis is among the world’s leading experts on mosquito-borne illnesses at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. His team hopes to eventually develop a Zika virus vaccine. Previously, he called Brazil’s 3,000-plus cases in 2015 “the tip of the iceberg.” He told CBS-TV affiliate KHOU 11: “We need to find a way to control the spread.” Vasilakis fears U.S. government regulations could impede the process of developing a general population vaccine. He told the BBC: “What would take the longest time would be the process of passing it through the FDA and other regulatory agencies to allow it for public use and that may take up to 10 to 12 years.”Breitbart News reported that medical experts warn the virus has “explosive” pandemic potential. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that up to four million cases of Zika may surface before a cure is found. Of greatest concern are pregnant women. Experts suspect a connection between Zika virus and serious birth defects. During Brazil’s 2015 Zika virus outbreak, incidences of microcephaly, a condition where babies are born with small heads and abnormally deformed brains, increased. The CDC advised pregnant women to avoid traveling to the 24 countries seeing high rates of the virus in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare paralysis disease, also increased during the 2014 French Polynesia Zika virus outbreak. Wednesday, the CDC suggested that Zika may lead to hearing and vision problems.For now, the best way to combat the virus and avoid an outbreak is to eradicate mosquitoes by removing tires, plastic containers and other refuse from properties that can hold water and where Zika-infected mosquitos can breed, NBC DFW reported. Texas health officials also recommend wearing long sleeves, covering up, and using insect repellent. TDSHS advises to stay and sleep in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms and they encourage people, especially pregnant women, to follow the CDC’s travel precautions.TDSHS says that most people exposed to the mosquito-borne illness, experience mild to no symptoms. The signs of the Zika virus are fever, rash, muscle and joint aches and even, pinkeye.Follow Merrill Hope on Twitter @OutOfTheBoxMom.http://www.breitbart.com/texas/2016/01/30/texas-health-official-brace-for-more-zika-virus-cases-after-six-confirmed-statewide/
niman Posted February 1, 2016 Author Report Posted February 1, 2016 Zika Virus – Jan. 29, 2016Texas has six confirmed travel-related cases of Zika virus disease in the state. The travelers were infected abroad and diagnosed after they returned home. There has been no reported local transmission of the disease in the continental United States.Zika is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause fever, rash, muscle and joint aches and pinkeye. Symptoms are usually mild, and most people exposed to Zika virus won’t develop any symptoms at all. There have been reports of microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant.The Texas Department of State Health Services is encouraging people to follow travel precautions for regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.DSHS recommends travelers avoid mosquito bites while abroad and for seven days after returning, in case they have been exposed to Zika virus. People can protect themselves from mosquito bites by:Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pantsUsing EPA-registered insect repellentsUsing permethrin-treated clothing and gear Staying and sleeping in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms. Texas Zika VirusCDC Zika Virushttps://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/updates.shtm
niman Posted February 1, 2016 Author Report Posted February 1, 2016 CDC confirms 6 cases of Zika virus in Texas 5:13 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016 | Filed in: Nation & WorldCOMMENTS 0 There are six confirmed cases of the Zika virus in Texas, according to the Department of Health Services.A female Aedes aegypti mosquito acquires a blood meal on the arm of a researcher at the Biomedical Sciences Institute in the Sao Paulo’s University, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016. The Aedes aegypti is a vector for transmitting the Zika virus. (AP)Those infected contracted the virus while traveling abroad. There still are no locally transmitted cases in the U.S.Zika is a mosquito-borne virus that is especially dangerous for pregnant women. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain and headache.>>Read more about the Zika virus hereThe little-known virus re-emerged in Brazil in 2015. Cases have been confirmed throughout South and Central America as well as Puerto Rico.In the U.S., cases have been confirmed in 11 states including three women in Florida; two women in Illinois and a woman in Hawaii who gave birth to a child who contracted the virus and was born with an unusually small head.http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/national/cdc-confirms-6-cases-zika-virus-texas/nqGbZ/
niman Posted February 2, 2016 Author Report Posted February 2, 2016 Zika Virus – Feb. 2, 2016Texas has six confirmed travel-related cases of Zika virus disease, all among residents of Harris County. The travelers were infected abroad and diagnosed after they returned home. There has been no reported local transmission of the disease in the continental United States.Zika is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause fever, rash, muscle and joint aches and pinkeye. Symptoms are usually mild, and most people exposed to Zika virus won’t develop any symptoms at all. There have been reports of microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant.The Texas Department of State Health Services is encouraging people to follow travel precautions for regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.DSHS recommends travelers avoid mosquito bites while abroad and for seven days after returning, in case they have been exposed to Zika virus. People can protect themselves from mosquito bites by:Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pantsUsing EPA-registered insect repellentsUsing permethrin-treated clothing and gear Staying and sleeping in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms. Note: Zika case data for Texas will be updated weekdays by 11 a.m.Texas Zika VirusCDC Zika Virushttps://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/updates.shtm
niman Posted February 3, 2016 Author Report Posted February 3, 2016 Zika Virus – Feb. 3, 2016Texas has 10 cases of Zika virus disease. Nine are travelers who were infected abroad and diagnosed after they returned home. One case involves a Dallas County resident who had sexual contact with someone who acquired the Zika infection while traveling abroad. Case counts by county: Harris County – 7Bexar County – 1Dallas County – 2Zika is primarily a mosquito-borne virus that can cause fever, rash, muscle and joint aches and pinkeye. Symptoms are usually mild, and most people exposed to Zika virus won’t develop any symptoms at all. There have been reports of microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant.The Texas Department of State Health Services is encouraging people to follow travel precautions for regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.DSHS recommends travelers avoid mosquito bites while abroad and for seven days after returning, in case they have been exposed to Zika virus. People can protect themselves from mosquito bites by:Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pantsUsing EPA-registered insect repellentsUsing permethrin-treated clothing and gear Staying and sleeping in screened-in or air-conditioned roomsAvoiding or limiting outdoor activities during peak mosquito timesNote: Zika case data for Texas will be updated weekdays by 11 a.m.Texas Zika VirusDSHS News ReleasesCDC Zika Virushttp://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/updates.shtm
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