Zika continues to spread

THE Zika virus has spread even
further, with a confirmed first
case of the disease in Hong
Kong and locally transmitted cases
in Florida.
According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), the Florida Department of
Health has identified two areas of
Miami-Dade County where Zika is
being spread by mosquitoes. In
addition to the previously identified
area in the Wynwood neighbourhood,
there is now mosquito-borne spread
of the virus in a section of Miami
Beach, the CDC says.
In regions where the disease
occurs, travellers should seek
advice from their GP at least four to
six weeks before they travel, says
the UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth
Office.
The risk of complications is
highest for pregnant women, who
should check the Zika risk at
their destination and consider
advisories accordingly. In high-risk
areas they are advised to postpone
all non-essential travel and should
use scrupulous preventative
measures to avoid being bitten by
mosquitoes.