The Zika virus is gaining more and more news coverage in the United States, and the southeastern states are especially concerned due to the presence of certain types of mosquitoes which carry not only this virus but also West Nile and yellow fever. Of all of Zika’s adverse health effects, the most troubling involve pregnant mothers and their babies, as well as a potential link to microcephaly, a condition in which babies are born with smaller heads and damaged, smaller-than-average brains.
The current outbreak began in Brazil in April 2015 and has gradually spread through South America to Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and – in a small number of cases so far – the United States. The virus is spread by Aedes mosquitoes, which are “aggressive daytime biters” and “resourceful at breeding in containers, puddles, gutters, anything where water collects,” according to Jim Fredericks of the National Pest Management Association. And as the United States begins to expand its fight to stop Zika’s spread, we must keep in mind that much more of the country is at risk than just the southeastern states: Toronto researchers estimate that as much as 63% of Americans live in areas where the virus can spread during seasonally-warm months.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) offers the following tips for those living in or visiting areas which are at-risk for the spread of the Zika virus:
- Eliminate breeding sites for mosquitoes. Any containers which hold water should be emptied or covered, such as buckets and flower pots, and larvicide may also be used to treat standing water.
- All citizens in vulnerable areas should use insect-repellant, wear light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible, and keep doors and windows closed or screened.
- Pregnant women must be especially careful to avoid bites from mosquitoes, and those who travel to high-risk areas, such as parts of Brazil and Latin America, should consult their health care providers to closely monitor their pregnancies.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, America’s Consumer Lawyer is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
