Texas gets ready for further local transmission of Zika virus

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.

 

Innovista Health Solutions announces new partnership with Seven Flags ACO

Innovista Health Solutions (Innovista) has declared a new client partnership with Seven Flags ACO (Accountable Care Organization). Seven Flags ACO was started in the year of 2016 with eighteen Primary Care Physicians, committed to giving high quality, cost effective care to their sufferers. With the addition of various El Paso Physicians in 2017, the ACO will handle over 10,500 patients in value based contracts.

Seven Flags ACO is comprised of 2 U.S. Mexico border regions which are featured by having difficult sufferer populations to manage because of the inequitable access to health care. The physicians partnering in this ACO have a chance to combat these community challenges and make better access to quality care.

This Seven Flags ACO is believed to be one of several new ACOs developed through the collaboration of Innovista and TMA PracticeEdge. TMA PracticeEdge, LLC, is a services company established by the Texas Medical Association to bring physicians the technology and expertise they require taking advantage of new health care payment models. To date, ten ACOs have been launched as an outcome of this thriving partnership. Seven Flags Accountable Care Organization joins Innovista's growing Texas market of independent provider organizations, which involves more than 1,000 physicians providing care throughout Texas communities.

"We’re excited to combine our individuals and management processes with Seven Flags' passionate commitment of giving high quality, value-based care. Together, I feel confident we will see great results in this new ACO," said Rich Steinle, CEO of Innovista Health Solutions.

"Partnering with TMA PracticeEdge and Innovista has permitted the Laredo community to develop a thriving ACO that welcomes physicians who’re committed to improving overall patient care. Our hopes are to sustain to grow the Seven Flags ACO with the addition of new value based contracts and physicians," claimed Dr. Luis Benavides, President of Seven Flags ACO.

Microcephaly case links Directly to deadly Zika Virus

The Health Secretariat has confirmed about the very first microcephaly case in a newborn infant in Mexico, one that is linked straightly to the deadly Zika virus.

The premature baby passed away during childbirth in the month of November in the state of Oaxaca.

The National Institute of Perinatology in the city of Mexico confirmed that the microcephaly case diagnosis, and discovered traces of the Zika virus in the amniotic fluid, along with congenital deformities.

The Health Secretariat claimed in a press release that between the time period of November 2015 and January 2017 it confirmed 7,634 cases of Zika infections, 4,252 of which were pregnant females. Of those, 588 have given birth.

The health agency cautioned that it was possible there would be more cases.

The secretariat repeated its suggestions to ignore contracting the Zika virus by using long-sleeved shirts and pants and mosquito repellent; turning pails and bottles upside down, and accurately discarding those no longer in use; keeping water containers clean and covered; and keeping doors and windows closed or secured with mosquito nets.

Pregnant females should certainly attend their prenatal appointments and, along with the general public, seek medical consultation in case of suffering any of the symptoms.

The deadly Zika virus is like a mild form of dengue fever transmitted by the same mosquito, and is normally treated by rest. It can’t be stopped by drugs or vaccines.

Official figures demonstrated that last July there were 667 cases of Zika infections, and that 287 of them were pregnant females.

 

Zika Virus Prevention: People planning Holidays, still need to worry about Zika

In accordance to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Zika virus is here to stay. And with people planning their winter holidays, travelers are being suggested to pack bug spray and long sleeve clothing for Zika Virus Prevention.

Travelers are busy searching for last minute vacation plans.

Deanna Sutherland Rigby from Vision Travel claims that the warmer destinations are the most famous this time of year.

“Dominican, Cuba, Mexico and other southern Caribbean Islands.”

They are also regions with the highest threats of contracting Zika.

Sutherland Rigby states that while it’s not top of mind for several vacationers it has been a subject of discussion this season.

Numerous cases of Zika Virus have now been pointed out in about fifty countries.

“You actually cannot go anywhere now that there is not Zika virus.”

Dr. Fiona Hunter is studying and researching how the virus spreads to mosquitoes. She travelled to the region of Brazil recently, another hot place for the virus, and even plans on taking her family to the Dominican Republic this year.

“This is the latest normal- having Zika virus in the side of south and if you do select to go somewhere you’ve to look after yourself.”

She recommends vacationers to bring bug spray with them because few places do not sell them.

In accordance to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, mosquitoes that spread Zika do not live at elevations above 2000 meters.

Dr. Hunter claims that there is yet a lot not known about Zika, which has been associated to severe and extreme birth defects.

In accordance to Dr. Brett Belchetz, anybody out there who is either not pregnant or not planning on getting pregnant – Zika virus is actually nothing to stress about.

Males and females are emphasized to practice safe sex for 6 months after travelling to Zika infected places for the sake of Zika Virus Prevention.