Zika virus news update: CDC warns Zika virus might hit tens of thousands in Puerto Rico
Disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reported there are more than 50 imported cases of Zika in the United States, 30 of which are in Puerto Rico.
A federal official warns Puerto Ricans of the possibility of spread of the Zika virus to hit tens of thousands. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms that, as of Feb. 17, there are already eight cases of Zika transmitted by local mosquitoes in Puerto Rico.
Thomas Frieden, the Director of CDC, is especially worried for pregnant women and babies. According to the director, Zika virus is now concurring with cases of microcephaly, a disorder in the brain development. Although the director did not confirm Zika as the main cause of these cases of microcephaly, he said that scientists have found specimen of Zika in the brains of babies who died of microcephaly. CDC discourages pregnant women to go to places infected with the virus.
The local government is now preparing the supply of blood should the outbreak continue. The health officials were given two weeks to begin acquiring blood from places outside the island. Moreover, new guidelines were released to ensure blood donors will not be coming from Zika-infected areas. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jose O. Alsina of Puerto Rico's Banco de Sangre de Servisios Mutuos advised that the new guidelines will cost Puerto Rico up to $100,000 per week to be able to collect the needed blood supply from the other parts of America.
An emergency fund of $250 million was already requested by President Barack Obama to be allocated for Puerto Rico, just awaiting for approval of Congress.
NPR also reported that territorial epidemiologist Dr. Brenda Rivera-Garcia from the Department of Health in Puerto Rico has joined NPR's Michel Martin to discuss how this Zika virus is spreading in the island. Dr. Garcia mentioned that Puerto Ricans can avoid the spread of Zika by avoiding any possible breeding sites for these mosquitoes.