Zika virus in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a United States territory located in the northeastern Caribbean.
As on 26 February 2016, 35 confirmed cases of Zika virus were reported in Puero Rico.
Puerto Rico recorded the first local transmission of Zika virus in a jurisdiction of the United States on 31 December 2015. During 23 November 2015 - 28 January 2016, 30 Zika virus cases have been identified. The first case involved an 80-year-old person. Almost 93% of those cases are from residents in the eastern Puerto Rico or the San Juan metropolitan area. One of the case resulted in Guillain–Barré syndrome and one occurred in pregnant woman.
Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla declared a public health emergency because of Zika virus on February 5, 2016. Among the cases are a pregnant woman and a man with Zika who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome. At the end of January 2016, 30 Zika virus cases were confirmed. The number is expected to rise as the Aedes aegypti mosquito that spreads Zika virus is present throughout the island. Puerto Rico has previously experienced wide spread of dengue fever, which is transmitted by the same mosquito.
Statistics
- 26 Feb 2016: 35 confirmed cases of Zika virus
Timeline
2015
- Dec 31: First case of local transmission of Zika virus in a jurisdiction of United States was reported
2016
- Feb 5: Public health emergency declared in Puerto Rico because of Zika virus. Health authorities in the country will track and report results weekly.
Efforts to tackle Zika Virus
On 7 March 2016, Walgreens announced that it is collaborating with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the CDC Foundation to educate the public on preventive steps to avoid Zika. Walgreens also made a $100,000 donation to the CDC foundation. Walgreens will dedicate space at all of its 120 drug stores in Puerto Rico beginning March 7 to provide information to prevent spread of Zika virus.
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