Federal health officials issue Zika warning for Brownsville
Pregnant women should avoid the Brownsville area if they can and guard against mosquito bites if they can't, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday, citing an increased risk of contracting the Zika virus there.
There are only five known cases of the mosquito-borne virus — known to cause birth defects — in the Brownsville area, the agency said, and “there is not yet any evidence of widespread, sustained local spread of Zika.” But CDC officials said they’re urging vigilance as Texas' climate is “conducive to mosquito-borne spread, and the risk of continued local spread cannot be ruled out.”
CDC Director Tom Frieden said the agency is working closely with the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Cameron County Health Department and Brownsville Health Department to look at new information every day.
“We conclude that pregnant women should avoid the Brownsville area – and make every effort to prevent mosquito bites if they live or work there,” said Frieden. “Together with Texas officials, we are working to protect pregnant women from the potentially devastating effects of this virus.”
Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2016/12/14/cdc-ups-brownsville-zika-warning/