Zika Virus: ‘We Can’t Protect Women And Children,’ CDC Chief Says

Washington, DC — Florida’s congressional delegation heard an earful on Wednesday about the challenge the Zika virus poses to the county and state. The news wasn't good.

“We can’t protect women and children,” Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told the delegation, according to a report released by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan’s office. 

The mosquito responsible for spreading the virus is harder to kill than an ordinary mosquito, Frieden said. “This is the cockroach of mosquitoes. It lives indoors and outdoors, bites both day and night, and bites four or five at a time.”

Frieden was referring to the Aedes aegypti mosquito species. These mosquitoes thrive in tropical, subtropical and some temperate climates, according to the CDC website. They are the main type of mosquito responsible for spreading not only Zika virus but also dengue and chikungunya. These mosquitoes prefer to feed on people, the CDC noted.

Frieden told 12 members of the delegation the Zika virus is “unprecedented” in its link to the devastating birth defect microcephaly. What’s more, “It will take years to develop a vaccine.”

The news comes as Florida continues to lead the nation in the number of confirmed Zika virus cases. As of Wednesday, the state’s confirmed toll was up to 185, including 38 cases involving pregnant women. All of the state’s cases to date are travel-related, meaning those infected contracted the virus outside of the country.

President Barack Obama has pitched a $1.9 billion funding package to help fight the spread of the Zika virus in the United States.

Buchanan, a Republican who represents the Sarasota and Bradenton areas, supports the emergency funding to pay for prevention, mosquito control programs, improved testing and efforts to create a vaccine, among other things.

“We must act quickly to stop the spread of Zika,” Buchanan said in a statement. “We need to outpace the virus. It’s no longer a question of whether people will be infected, but when and how many.”

Members of the House and Senate are continuing to negotiate the emergency funding package.

The CDC has confirmed that the virus is responsible for causing severe defects in unborn children, including microcephaly, which leaves babies with abnormally small heads and often with brains that do not develop properly.

Zika is a mosquito-borne illness that is characterized by a fever, rash and joint pain. While the illness typically resolves within a week, some severe cases may require hospitalization.

Aside from mosquitoes, Zika can be spread through sexual contact in some cases, the CDC notes. One of the confirmed cases in Polk County originated through sexual contact, the state of Florida reported. The patient in the case contracted the virus while traveling outside of the country.

As of Wednesday, 10 of the 185 people in Florida confirmed to have the Zika virus were still exhibiting symptoms, according to the state’s daily update report. In the Tampa Bay area, a number of confirmed cases have been reported. Hillsborough and Pinellas counties both have four confirmed cases, Polk County three and Pasco County two. Miami-Dade leads the state in the number of confirmed cases at 55.

Dr. Vilma Vega, an infectious disease specialist from the Sarasota area, told the Florida delegation the numbers the state has seen so far may just be the beginning.

“The virus could spread exponentially across the state of Florida in the months ahead,” Vega said. “We must prepare and plan for the worst.”

The state warns that mosquitoes can breed in as little as a teaspoon or bottle cap of water.

“So, one of the most effective control measures for mosquitoes is draining all sources of standing water around your home or business at least weekly,” Department of Health spokeswoman Mara Gambineri said. “This includes garbage cans, house gutters, pool covers, flower pots, toys and anywhere rain or sparkler water has collected.”

The state also recommends residents throw out old tires, drums and other items on their properties that can hold water. Bird baths should be emptied at least once or twice a week, and so should pet water bowls. Broken screens should also be repaired.

“If you must be outside when mosquitoes are active, cover up your skin by wearing long pants, long sleeves, shoes and socks,” Gambineri said. “Residents should also apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.” The state recommends repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535, among others.

“Always follow the instructions on the label when using repellents,” Gambineri reminded. “Parents should make sure to protect kids as they head outdoors to play this summer by covering their skin with long clothing and using a suitable repellent.”

To help residents resolve questions about the virus and its spread, the state has set up a Zika Virus Information Hotline at 1-855-622-6735. The hotline has fielded more than 2,053 calls since it was launched Feb. 12, the state reported.

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