Mosquitoes

While it has been confirmed that Zika has been spread in the United States by homegrown mosquitoes, there is now confirmation that a case of the much-discussed virus has spread from Florida to Texas.
An unidentified traveler tested positive for the Zika virus after going on a vacation to Miami. Therefore, it is impossible to tell if this is actually the very first time a Texan traveler who has gone to Florida has contracted the virus and returned home with it. [1]

The number of Zika cases spread by mosquito bites in Florida has risen to 25, and with the number expected to rise further, airplanes have been flying over Miami spraying naled, a neurotoxic insecticide which kills adult mosquitoes. Some scientists are warning that naled may be more dangerous than the Zika virus itself.

Portland Public fools, GMO mosquitoes and baby chimeras + this day in history w/Agent Orange and our song of the day by the Pixies on your Morning Monarchy for August 10, 2016.

On August 3, New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman warned that hucksters were peddling bogus Zika virus prevention products, and told manufacturers that he would “shut them down.” [1]
For the most part, Americans aren’t freaking out over Zika. According to a new CCN/ORC poll, just 23% of respondents said they are at least somewhat worried about themselves or a family member catching the virus, but 77% said it’s not weighing heavily on their minds. [2]

As health officials predicted, the Zika virus is beginning to spread across south Florida, and now a type of genetically modified (GM) mosquito designed to fight the virus has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). [1]

Florida is having a difficult time controlling the Zika virus, as the state has trouble controlling mosquitoes in general. Although the number of locally-transmitted Zika causes has risen from four to 16, there are still many stumbling blocks in the way of curbing a rise in numbers.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is advising pregnant women, women considering becoming pregnant, and their partners not to visit a small community just north of Miami, Florida, where the Zika virus is beginning to spread via mosquito bites.
The announcement marks the 1st time the CDC has warned people not to travel to an American neighborhood over concern of catching an infectious disease. [1]

New estimates have shown that around 1.65 million women in Latin America could become infected with Zika while they are pregnant, with Brazil carrying the highest number of all. This comes from new research from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom and the University of Notre Dame.

It seems the Zika virus is showing no signs of slowing in Brazil, where researchers have found that the virus is present even in many house mosquitoes. These mosquitoes, known as Culex, are the most common and have been spotted in the city of Recife. While it has been confirmed that Culex are carrying the potentially deadly virus, scientists say that more studies need to be done in order to determine if the Culex can indeed spread the virus. [1]

US Health officials have become increasingly concerned by the rate Zika is spreading in the territory of Puerto Rico. The disease is spreading so quickly, that it is claimed as many as 50 pregnant women a day are becoming infected. Because of this, the Centers for Disease Control is urging Puerto Rico to spray the affected area with pesticides.