Zika Testing in the Rio Grande Valley

“Photo” by Freeimages9 is licensed under CC0. Earlier this week, we posted a feature as part of our SCR Regional Highlight series about the new medical school that opened in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and how it will bring more physicians to a part of Texas that is in dire need of more medical professionals. Today, we are sharing some more health news relevant to the Rio Grande Valley—this time regarding Zika. Texas, particularly the southernmost tip where the Rio Grande Valley is, has been monitored closely for signs of local Zika transmission. Previously, Texas has seen the local transmission of dengue fever and chikungunya virus, both mosquito-borne diseases. So far, Texas has seen 231 cases of illness due to Zika, but none due to local transmission. Despite this, the Texas Department of State Health Services is still on the offensive and is urging residents, particularly pregnant women, of the Rio Grande Valley to get tested for Zika if they exhibit any two of the four major symptoms of Zika, which include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (eye redness), regardless of their travel history. To read more about Zika testing recommendations, please visit Texas Department of State Health Services. To read more about Zika, please visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Follow NN/LM SCR on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Source: Network News - Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Tags: Public Health Texas Source Type: news