Photo by Srithern
In the summer of 2016, there were confirmed cases of the Zika virus in Florida. Five of these were non-travel related cases.
Per Fox News, “Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Tuesday that the state has confirmed five new non-travel related cases of Zika, including one in the Tampa Bay area, though officials have not declared that a zone of active local transmission.”
The FDA created genetically modified mosquitoes in to combat the spread of the Zika virus in Florida. They assured residents there would be no significant environmental impact with the mosquitoes.
Humanosphere reports, “Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Tuesday that the state has confirmed five new non-travel related cases of Zika, including one in the Tampa Bay area, though officials have not declared that a zone of active local transmission.”
The CDC put up a travel advisory for Wynwood, the area where most of the non-travel related cases of Zika came from. The business owners complained at this order for pregnant women to stay away from this square-mile area from downtown.
The Miami Herald states, “In Wynwood, business owners complained to the governor about the economic impacts of the CDC’s travel advisory telling pregnant women to avoid a square-mile area just north of downtown Miami.”
When the Zika virus broke out, Florida’s government was waiting for the CDC to send Zika antibody test and Zika prevention kits.
Per Fox News, “The news comes just a day after Scott called on federal health officials to send the state more resources to fight the growing transmission of Zika virus. The Miami Herald reported that Florida is still waiting for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to send the state an additional 5,000 Zika antibody tests and 10,000 Zika prevention kits, as well as a promised $5 million in funding, to help combat Zika.”
Before releasing the genetically engineered mosquitoes to combat the mosquitoes that hold the Zika virus, the FDA wanted to get the permission of the residents.
Humanosphere explains, “In addition to the FDA’s approval, the Florida district’s board has pledged to seek residents’ approval before moving forward with the trial. But some Florida residents have signed a petition expressing concern about the release of Oxitec’s mosquitoes, warning they could have unknown and unintended effects on the ecosystem.”
UNICEF’s goal is to eradicate the spread of the Zika virus in areas where it is rampant.
UNICEF reports, “UNICEF will also continue to raise awareness of prevention measures, including through the use of insecticide-treated nets and increased access to reproductive and sexual health services, especially for teens, pregnant women and women of child-bearing age. At the global level, UNICEF will fast track the development of vaccines and rapid diagnostic tests.”
Pray for the eradication of the Zika virus and people would be able to prevent it from spreading.
Fox News: Florida confirms 5 new cases of Zika, 1 reported outside transmission zones
Humanosphere: FDA approves genetically modified mosquitoes to combat Zika virus in Florida
Miami Herald: Florida governor to feds: Help us fight Zika
