Local News
Dallas Braces for Possible Zika Outbreak After 22 Confirmed Cases
Dallas city and health officials are preparing for a possible Zika outbreak in the near future. Since 88 cases are confirmed in Texas, with 22 in Dallas alone, they feel the need to be ready.
The Dallas Morning News reported that health director Zachary Thompson stated, “We anticipated it wasn’t a matter of if, but when a local outbreak would occur.”
Most people who contract the Zika virus will not be physically impacted by the disease. This means many cases will go undetected. Sadly, pregnant women and their children will feel the burden of Zika the most as it leads to illness and serious birth defects like abnormally small heads.
The majority of cases in Dallas are from people who have recently traveled to Latin America or the Caribbean. The virus can be sexually transmitted, but most people seem to have contracted it by mosquito bites. One specific species of mosquito, Aedes aegypti, spreads Zika, and unluckily, this mosquito does live in Texas.
Twelve pregnant women in Dallas have tested as possible positives for Zika. It may not be known for sure if they have the virus until they give birth. Officials encourage pregnant women to wear bug spray to keep mosquitoes away.
