More Than 4 Million Cases of Zika Virus Anticipated Inside U.S.

Zika Virus initially seemed like a South American issue and something that was less of an issue for those living in the United States, but as evidence mounts, this is no longer the case.  Because the U.S. has a foothold on the kinds of mosquitoes that carry the disease, there seemed to be nothing to be drastically concerned over, but new research shows the virus may be passed both sexually and perhaps through blood transfusion.

“Sexual transmission of the disease— acquired outside of the United States—has been reported in the United States,” according to the report. “As of February 23, 2016, the CDC and state public health departments are investigating 14 additional reports of possible sexual transmission of the virus, including several involving pregnant women.”

The CDC remains particularly concerned that the virus could taint the U.S. blood supply.

“While there have been no reports to date of Zika virus entering the U.S. blood supply, the risk of blood transmission is considered high based on the most current scientific research of how Zika virus and similar viruses (i.e. flaviviruses) are spread, as well as recent reports of transfusion-associated infection outside of the United States,” according to the report.

The CDC has “107 cases of continental U.S. travel-associated Zika virus, as of Feb. 24″ recorded. This denotes that reality that several states do have mosquito populations that care capable of transmitting Zika.

The U.S. does not have a method to test adequately for the virus, especially for epidemic numbers and there are no commercially available test either.

The CDC relies on two Zika diagnostic tests. One test can only detect infection while an individual is showing symptoms. The second test is more specific, but is “cumbersome and not suitable for screening a large number of individuals,” according the report.

Source: Free Beacon   Truth and Action