Sexually Transmission of the Zika virus in Florida

[Magee]

Florida Department of Health has announced that they now have cases of sexually transmission of the Zika Virus in Florida. This is not only a virus transmitted by mosquitoes it is also transmitted by humans.

Often in my travels of our County I have friends say they’re not worried about Zika, because they do not plan on having additional children. I then informed them with how the virus affects both male and female’s regardless of age and regardless of plans to add to their family. This is a virus that works in reverse of other viruses that we have dealt with over the years. This virus remains in the bloodstream for a time and then transmitted to others either sexually, or having a healthy mosquito bite them, the healthy individual unknowingly has the virus within their bloodstream. We now have a sick mosquito that will then transmit the virus. This is a pandemic situation not to be taken lightly; in my opinion it is the new AIDS of this decade. It will be years before we have a proven vaccine, the question is how many thousands of people will be affected with this virus often not being aware that they are a carrier.

We all need to work together as a team and protect ourselves and our families against mosquito bites. We need to inspect our yards to ensure that we are not breeding grounds for new mosquitoes. It only takes a tablespoon of water to create a place for the female mosquito to lay her eggs.

The South Walton Mosquito Control is a lifesaver! Mosquito problems can be solved. Go to our website to enter a service request www.southwaltonmosquitocontrol.org or call our office at 850-267-2112. Often an inspector can respond the same day, otherwise the next working day they will be at your house. This is part of our service… There is NO CHARGE for a service request!

We welcome the opportunity to address your Homeowners Association, Church Organizations or any other Civic Group within South Walton. We have an excellent 15 minute presentation and then questions and answers by professionals. This is a service that we provide again at NO CHARGE feel free to call our office and book a meeting.

Respectfully, Commissioner John J Magee Seat 1 SWMC

South Walton Mosquito Control

http://southwaltonmosquitocontrol.org/

“Improving the Quality of Life in South Walton County”

 

[Magee]

Think about how many gallons of blood your county uses in one day. It all comes to a stop because of a positive Zika virus report in your county. Now multiply that by other counties overnight we will have a nationwide shortage of blood available to patients in hospitals for operations etc.

WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration wants all U.S. blood banks to start screening for Zika virus, a major expansion intended to protect the nation's blood supply from the mosquito-borne disease.

The new advisory means all U.S. states and territories will need to begin testing blood donations for Zika. Previously, the requirement was limited to areas with active Zika transmission, such as Puerto Rico and two Florida counties.

Blood banks already test donations for HIV, hepatitis, West Nile virus and other blood-borne viruses.

Last month, the FDA told blood centers in Miami and Fort Lauderdale to immediately stop collecting donations until they could begin screening each unit of blood for Zika. The order followed now-confirmed reports of local Zika transmission -- the first in the continental U.S.

Respectfully, Commissioner John J Magee Seat 1 SWMC

South Walton Mosquito Control

http://southwaltonmosquitocontrol.org/

“Improving the Quality of Life in South Walton County”

 

[Magee]

Reported cases of Zika as close as Mobile Alabama

According to the Alabama Department of Health, the state as a whole has 25 identified cases of the virus. The good news is that all of them apparently were contracted when the victims were traveling. The counties are Calhoun, Cullman, Etowah, Houston, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lee, Limestone, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery, Morgan, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega and Tuscaloosa.

Zika can be passed along by sex, but the bigger threat is that some kinds of mosquitos can carry it. If and when mosquito-related cases are detected, that could indicate that the virus will spread faster. Symptoms generally are mild but the virus is a major concern because it is capable of causing birth defects. Pregnant women are strongly encouraged to avoid traveling areas where mosquitos are known to carry the virus.