Zika Virus Has Now Infected Over 400 Pregnant Women in the U.S. | Mosquito Control

The Zika virus epidemic seems to only be getting worse, as now over 400 pregnant women in the United States have now been infected. That is a huge increase, as last week the count was 364. This virus is especially dangerous for pregnant women, as it has been linked to the birth defect microcephaly. Officials are now also worried that the mosquito may have finally made its way into the U.S., as a woman in Miami was found to have contracted the disease even though she hadn’t traveled abroad.

The Zika virus outbreak has led to the Aedes augypti mosquito being named as the “most dangerous animal in the world.” Previously, the spotlight was centered on the Anopheles mosquito, which spreads malaria. But, with the rise in cases of dengue fever and now the Zika virus, that honor now goes to the Aedes aegypti mosquito. What’s even more troubling, however, is that scientists now believe that the Asian tiger mosquito can also spread the Zika virus. This spells serious trouble for the U.S. since the Asian tiger mosquito can tolerate colder weather than the Aedes aegypti, which mostly inhabits areas that are warm throughout the year. The Asian tiger mosquito has been found as far north as New York and New Jersey, meaning nowhere is safe from this virus now. One good thing has resulted from all of this bad news, though. In an effort to prevent the further spread of the Zika virus, the CDC has now given $60 million in grants to states throughout the U.S.

How might the spread of the Zika virus throughout the U.S. affect our daily lives?

Houston Mosquito Control, Dallas Mosquito Control, San Antonio Mosquito Control, Austin Mosquito Control