New cases of the Zika virus infection are now starting to be reported from different parts of the U.S. mainland. In the last day, cases of the infection have been reported from Florida and Illinois, according to U.S. News and World Report.
In Florida, three new cases have now been reported, two from Miami-Dade County. These were people that had visited Colombia during the month of December. The third case that has been reported involves a resident of Hillsborough County, who visited Venezuela in December. Health Department officials have asked Florida residents to "protect themselves from all mosquito-borne illnesses by draining standing water; covering their skin with repellent and clothing; covering windows with screens and other basic precautions," according to the Examiner.
In Illinois, two pregnant women have been reported as having become infected with the virus. Nirav Shah, director of the Department of Public Health of the state of Illinois said in a statement: "Two pregnant Illinois residents who recently traveled to countries where Zika virus is found have tested positive for the virus. Physicians are monitoring their health and pregnancies. There is virtually no risk to Illinois residents since you cannot contract Zika virus from another person, but only through the bite of an infected mosquito," according to Central Illinois Proud.
A travel alert (Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions) has been issued by the Centers for Disease Control for anyone planning to visit locations where the virus is active. The list of these includes El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname, Haiti, Martinique, Puerto Rico and Mexico.
