Zika virus in New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern United States. It is the 27th-most extensive, fourth-most populous, and seventh-most densely populated state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south and Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont to the east.
There have been at least 16 confirmed cases of Zika virus in New York State including five cases in the New York City. The Wadsworth Laboratory in Albany is one of three labs in the country certified to test for Zika.
On February 4, 2016 New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said pregnant women in New York can get tested for Zika virus for free even if they don't have symptoms.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a new briefing on 11 February, that there is no risk that the Zika virus could be contracted in NYC. However, the officials need to be prepared. The city health officials are gearing up to make Zika virus blood tests available to pregnant women who have traveled to destinations where Zika virus is active. The Mayor met few doctors who have worked in the city's response to Ebola virus last year.
Erie County
On 14 February 2016, the first Zika virus case in Erie county was confirmed by the Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein. The person traveled to El Salvador in the few weeks prior to his symptoms. He was diagnosed with the Zika virus on 10 February. The patient is undergoing treatment and is expected to make full recovery. Burstein said that Aedes aegyti, the mosquito that spreads Zika virus isn't found in the far north America.
Now that the first case in Erie county was confirmed, the county and state health officials are pursuing aggressive testing of Zika virus free of charge. The Fetal Testing Unit at Sisters of Charity Hospital is also testing anyone eligible for testing for free.
Rockland County
A woman in the Rockland county has Zika virus which she contracted while traveling outside the United States. The woman is not pregnant and is expected to make recovery. According to Rockland health officials, the mosquitoes that spread Zika virus could not survive in the cold temperatures of New York. New York health officials said they would trap and test mosquitoes in Putnam, Orange, Sullivan and Dutchess counties to track the spread of the Asian tiger mosquito to see if they are infected with Zika.
Cattaraugus County
On February 5, 2016, Cattaraugus County Health Department advised health care providers to encourage pregnant women who have traveled to Zika virus destinations to be tested. Cattaraugus County public health director Dr. Kevin Watkins said that the biggest concern over Zika virus is associated with maternal-fetal transmission of this virus.
Monroe County
A Zika case was confirmed in Monroe County in late 2015.
Putnam County
On 11 February, the first case of Zika virus in Putnam county was confirmed. A county resident was tested positive for Zika virus, while a second case is also being test. In both the cases, the persons traveled out of the country.
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