Houston at Risk for Zika Virus Spread Following Flash Flood
The flash flood in Houston may be over but the battle is not done yet. Following the swamping of the Texas city last week, residents and neighborhoods affected by the calamity must now be vigilant with the possible spread of Zika virus, a disease brought by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
According to a report by CBS News, a global health conference in Houston addressed the possible threat of the disease in the U.S. And because of the heavy rains, it has created a breeding ground for mosquitoes around the city. But so far, there is no evidence that the mosquitoes in the country are infected with the Zika virus. Experts still encourage everybody though to be alert and aware as it's almost inevitable for the spread to happen.
"This is Aedes aegypti heaven right here," said infectious diseases expert Dr. Peter Hotez. He reminded that it's important to be protected against it for disease prevention especially since May is the beginning of the peak of mosquito season. ABC13 reported that Houston Health Department, together with Porifio Villarreal, said: "Usually we don't see West Nile until July, so it's a good time to get ready and elevate your guard. We have mosquitoes coming from other parts -- South America, Latin America and the Caribbean."
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With that being said, the city and county will be closely monitoring the area around Houston especially for those spots that is at high risk of breeding ground of mosquitoes. Fox News detailed though that health officials in the Texas city has confirmed already a Zika virus diagnosis in a pregnant woman who is said to have lived in El Salvador, a Zika hotspot, prior to moving in the United States. The patient is not identified and it is not known how she contracted that disease.
USA Today stated in a report that as of now, America has no coordinated national plan yet to control the insect that brings the disease to humans. But it is noted that preventing transmission is a collective effort from the health agencies and the communities.
