Warmer weather causes Zika virus to spread north

BOSTON — It's been declared an international public health emergency by the world health organization, the CDC calls it "scary” and health officials confirm the Zika virus causes birth defects in newborns.

With mosquito season right around the corner many are wondering what's being done to protect expecting mothers, and the rest of us as the virus spreads our way?

Two expecting mothers tell FOX25 they are worried.

“It seems to be getting scarier and the weathers getting warmer"

So it’s kind of like an overwhelming amount of stress and fear about it,” Daviann Sherman said.

Sherman and Jodi Masdea both canceled family trips after hearing the CDC report confirming that the virus does cause birth defects in newborns.

"The symptoms are so mild that the baby could come and you wouldn’t know you’re infected and then you'd be terrified and it would haunt you for the rest of your life,” Sherman said.

“It makes us nervous. We all just hope to have our babies before it hits Massachusetts,” Masdea said.

Zika Virus Origin

The Zika virus originated in Africa and quickly spread to South East Asia, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. It has infected over a million people in Brazil and seems to be heading north.

Nearly 400 travel-associated cases have already been reported in thirty U.S. states with confirmed cases in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, seven here in Massachusetts.

Thirty-three of those us infections were in pregnant women.

An Unprecedented Outbreak

“It has really exploded into an outbreak that is unprecedented and is occurring over an extraordinarily large geographic area,” Dr. Catherine Brown from the Department of Public Health said.

Brown says that though data suggests it is unlikely we will see local mosquito born transmission of the virus in Massachusetts, the state is doing everything they can to prepare.

“Development of a vaccine is going to be extraordinarily important,” she told FOX25.

President Obama has submitted a $2-billion request for a vaccine, but that is still pending.

In the meantime, many towns have already begun aggressive pesticide spraying and scientists are even considering unleashing a radical plan.

"It’s a genetically modified male mosquito that will mate with the females and prevent the offspring of those matings from developing and overall reducing the population of mosquitos that are capable of carrying this virus,” Brown said.

The virus isn’t only transmitted by an infected mosquito bite - it can also be transmitted sexually, or through a blood transfusion - so pregnant women, aren’t the only ones at risk.

“After an infection with Zika virus they can develop a neurologic issue – it’s called Geon-Barre Syndrome,” Brown said. “This is an extraordinary virus with the potential to have devastating impacts on the vulnerable population.”

The CDC has recommended if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant you should postpone travel to infected areas - if travel is unavoidable use extra vigilance for avoiding mosquito bites - including safe repellant, long sleeves, and staying indoors.

For the latest information on the Zika Virus visit: www.CDC.gov

Cox Media Group