
Mosquito
The good news on the Zika front is that transmission has been decreasing in the Caribbean including Puerto Rico. The unanswered question: Is lower transmission a seasonal effect due to mosquito phenology? Or is the reduction more permanent.
CDC has been quantifying the risk of Zika infection to fetuses and children whose mothers tested positive for Zika during their pregnancy. Overall, the percentage of births with Zika related birth defects in this population is 5% and varies depending on stage of infection. First Trimester infections had an 8% birth defect rate. The rate drops to 5% in the 2nd Trimester and 4% in the 3rd trimester. The defects can range from mild to severe. The most concerning is brain damage that can impair function for a lifetime. Even though transmission is lower than last year, the CDC is still advising pregnant women to avoid travel to areas with active Zika transmission. The risks may be lower but the long term consequences are potential severe.
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