CDC May Issue Travel Warning for Expectant Moms

The CDC is considering a travel warning for pregnant women, advising them against traveling areas with Zika virus due to growing evidence of risks of fetal/infant microcepahly: http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/14/health/zika-pandemic-travel-warnings/index.html. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have already issued warnings. For the complete PDF document, visit: http://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&Itemid=&gid=32405&lang=en

As Zika Virus Spreads, Will It Become the New Swine Flu of Texas?

The CDC has confirmed a diagnosis of Zika virus in a Houston, Texas (Harris County) patient who recently visited Latin America. Typical Zika symptoms include fever, rash, muscle and joint pain, headache, pain behind the eyes, conjunctivitis, and vomiting. The virus is spread through bites from the Aedes mosquito, which are also associated with Dengue Fever and other vector born illnesses.

According to the CDC, illness from Zika is usually mild and lasts several days to a week. Severe effects requiring hospitalization is not common and deaths are rare. However, Zika has been linked to microcephaly in exposed fetuses.

In 2009, Texas public officials panicked over an outbreak of H1N1 Swine Flu, cancelling public sporting events and closing schools. Many organizations and municipalities untook massive vaccination programs. Of course, the loss of even a single life is tragic, but however well-intentioned, health panics may result in "disaster fatigue" and public mistrust with a tendency to discount or disbelieve future health warnings.Will Zika virus cause similar public overreaction? Possibly; media coverage is increasing.  

Currently, no vaccine exists for Zika virus, but as stated above, it usually causes mild symptoms. However, it is becoming more widespread in Central and South American, especially Brazil, and travelers may wish to consider preventive measures. Prevention involves avoidance of exposure to mosquito bites, and should be taken especially seriously by pregnant women.

See also:

http://www.click2houston.com/news/zika-virus-comes-to-houston

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/12094029/Zika-virus-arrives-in-the-United-States.html

Alabama U.S. Hand Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak Monitored

ALABAMA, U.S— The Alabama Health Department is monitoring an outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), a contagious viral illness identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as due to the Coxsackie A6 virus (CVA6). HFMD is not unusual, but the Coxsackie A6 viral strain is new to the U.S. Symptoms include fever, hand and foot rash, mouth sores, and dehydration. Pneumonia, Meningitis, or Encephalitis are rare complications. There is no specific treatment for HFMD.

CVA6 caused an HFMD outbreak in Finland in 2008, and the CDC notes that CVA6 infections “may be emerging as a new and major cause of epidemic HFMD”.

Sources:

1.      HealthWatch: 14 cases of new strain of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Alabama

http://www2.wrbl.com/news/2012/feb/15/healthwatch-14-cases-new-strain-hfm-alabama-ar-3238278/

2.      AL Health Dept: Cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease on Rise

http://www2.wkrg.com/news/2012/feb/14/health-dept-cases-hand-foot-and-mouth-disease-rise-ar-3229895/

3.      Österback R, Vuorinen T, Linna M, Susi P, Hyypiä, Waris M. Coxackievirus A6 and hand, foot, and mouth disease, Finland. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2009 Sep [February 16, 2012]. Available from http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/15/9/09-0438.htm

More information:

CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/index.html