US Zika Advisory Mentions American Samoa

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US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and the White House are disseminating information about  the Zika virus ahead of the start of summer when there’ll be a  lot of people traveling within the United States and abroad.

An advisory about the Zika virus issued jointly by the US Surgeon General and the White House explains that while the symptoms of Zika are relatively mild, Zika infection in a pregnant woman can cause a seirous birth defect called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects.

The advisory also says Zika has  been linked to neurological disorders and can also be spread from a man to his sexual partners.

Surgeon General, Mutthy says authorities are responding to local transmission of Zika by mosquitoes in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa — and they are taking steps to prepare for any transmission within the continental United States.

Right now, researchers are working to develop a vaccine that will prevent Zika infections.

The federal government is also working closely with the states and private partners to ensure that adequate testing capacity is available so that anyone who may be infected — especially pregnant women — can find out quickly and take steps to prevent further spread of Zika.

The Surgeon General says as the summer months approach and mosquito season begins, President Obama has requested funds to help prevent, detect, and treat this virus.

And it’s his hope that Congress will act quickly to provide funding so the American people can be protected from the spread of Zika.

 

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