The state now suggests that all pregnant females in 6 South Texas counties — presently in their first and second trimester — should be tested for the Zika virus.
The Texas Department of State Health Services is expanding their instruction for Zika Virus prevention for the 2017 mosquito season, as they prepare for further local transmission of the Zika virus, meaning individuals who’ve not recently traveled getting bitten by a mosquito and then infected. Most Texas cases, although, are travel-related.
Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, Webb, Willacy and Zapata counties are involved in the new guidance. In addition to females in their first or second trimester, any pregnant female who has a rash and at least one other Zika symptom — fever, joint pain, or eye redness — should be tested as well.
For pregnant females in Texas not in the 6 listed counties, they should be tested if they have traveled to places with ongoing Zika transmission, involving any part of Mexico.
DSHS Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt cautioned that Zika sustains to be a significant health risk to pregnant females and their babies in Texas. “It is just a matter of time until we see further local transmission here again,” he stated.
The aim in expanding their testing recommendation is to increase their capability to find and respond to possible cases. “The Lower Rio Grande Valley remains the part of the state most at risk for ZIka transmission,” Hellerstedt continued.
Health care providers can order testing via their normal channels. “We do not need cost to stop anyone from getting tested,” Hellerstedt claimed. “If the cost of testing would be a hurdle for a patient, providers should contact their local or regional health department for information about testing through the public health system.”
Texas had 6 cases of local mosquito transmission in Brownsville in November and December 2016. The region appears to be the hardest hit in Texas, the DSHS says, due to its history of local transmission of dengue — a closely related virus — and its proximity to Mexico. For extra information on the virus visit TexasZika.org.
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