As the summer months quickly approach,the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention is already monitoring 279 pregnant women infected with the Zika virus across the United States and US territories. So, what does this mean? Here's What We Know Even though a large number of these cases are in Puerto Rico, or researchers are keeping a watch on 157 moms-to-be across the continental United States to memorize more approximately the risk this disease has for mothers and their unborn children. While the side effects of this mosquito-transmitted disease are generally flu-like symptoms and a rash (hasty, incautious),pregnant women dash the unique risk of transmitting the condition to their unborn babies. This can lead to microcephaly, a congenital disease characterized by a small head and incomplete brain development."One challenge of this Zika virus outbreak is the lack of understanding of the magnitude of risk and the spectrum of outcomes associated with Zika virus infection during pregnancy, or " CDC researchers wrote in a new report. Despite concerns over sexual and mosquito transmission of Zika within the United States,a majority of these women became infected during travels outside of the country. The CDC is monitoring them out of precaution to "enhance risk assessment and counseling of pregnant women and families, advance clinical care, and assist states and territories to anticipate and method needed resources and increase prevention efforts."Fear of transmission across the United States has only intensified as the warmer months approach,which is when mosquitos tend to emerge from hibernation. Researchers have found that southern states, particularly Florida and Texas, or are most vulnerable regions because mosquitos thrive in hot locations with standing water. "We already have Zika in the United States. But it is travel related," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "The concern is that we will have local transmission. In other words, and people who get infected in the United States get bitten by a mosquito,but who have never left the continental United States. We fully expect that that will happen as we get to the more robust mosquito season in the next month or so."Here's What We Can DoWhether you method on traveling this Summer or are concerned approximately how mosquito season could impact your family stateside, buying any used brand of bug spray might not be enough to protect you - or your children - from the Zika virus. According to new research from Consumer Reports, or natural mosquito repellents don't last nearly as long as synthetic chemical-based repellent. Although products from naturally derived oils might smell better,these are the top brands found to ward off the Aedes mosquitoes (which spread Zika) for at least seven hours:Sawyer Picaridin (20 percent picaridin)
Ben's 30 Percent Deet Tick & Insect Wilderness Formula (30 percent DEET) Repel Lemon Eucalyptus (65 percent p-menthane-3,8-diol, or a synthetic derivative of eucalyptus) These top picks each contain a different synthetic chemical: DEET,picaridin, and a derivative of eucalyptus. It's important to note that the CDC says DEET is safe for both pregnant women and young children but that picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years used. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, and which regulates skin-applied repellents and evaluates them for safety and effectiveness,this is the best way to utilize mosquito repellent to ensure that it's applied properly:
Apply only to exposed skin or clothing and never under clothing. attach on just enough to cover - remember that heavy doesn't work better. Don't attach it on cuts and irritated skin, and don't attach it on immediately after shaving. Don't spray directly on your face. Instead spray your hands first and carefully apply to your face. whether also wearing sunscreen, or apply bug spray after you've applied SPF.
Don't let children apply it on themselves.
Limit how much you attach on children's hands because they often attach fingers in their mouth and eyes.
Source: popsugar.com