Zika Virus has reached San Diego

Zika virus hit the United States only a couple months back, and cases are now popping up in San Diego. Health officials in San Diego state that the number of people who have Zika is going up, and there is fear of an outbreak.

All of the local cases in San Diego involve people who visited another country and or are sexually transmitted cases. Due to the Olympics, there has been a lot of travel back and forth to countries where Zika is present, making San Diego a target.

Mosquitoes found in Florida tested positive for the virus, showing that the cases of Zika are going to start spreading through non-travel related cases.

San Diego County Department of Environmental Health has sprayed the Mount Hope community after a resident was confirmed to have contracted the disease while traveling abroad. The health department is receiving a lot of backlash over the spraying.

The goal is to kill the mosquitoes to prevent further spreading, however many believe that if it can kill mosquitoes and bees, it can harm children and pets. Health officials stated that the spray will only harm the bugs, but protesters still lined up to stop the spraying.

The protesters are stating that the chemical being used to kill the mosquitoes is known for causing cancer and other health related side effects. The neighborhood petitioned the health officials with signs and gas masks and refused to leave their yards.

While the cases are rising all over the world of this mosquito borne illness, no known cure has been discovered yet. Many people who contract Zika have no known symptoms, however some have shown to come down with a fever, rash and itchy eyes. Zika is harmful to pregnant women and babies.

The best thing you can do to protect yourself from the virus is to use insect repellent (preferable one containing DEET), wear long sleeves and pants outdoors, and make sure insects can’t come into the home. Report any symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito right away.