Puerto Rico on high alert for Zika virus
PUERTO RICO (WPVI) -- Dr. Tom Frieden, the head of the CDC, just recently visited Puerto Rico and says the island is on the front lines of the battle against Zika virus, and right now it is an uphill battle.
Many pregnant women there are very concerned.
The primary focus is to protect as many pregnant women as possible.
There's growing evidence Zika virus can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly.
More evidence also shows Zika could be linked to Guillain-Barre Syndrome which causes temporary paralysis.
Dr. Frieden says action and funding from the federal government is needed now to further research on a vaccine and to control the mosquito population before it spikes.
"Funding is crucially important and urgently needed. The rains are coming and with the rains will come mosquito season and with mosquito season will be the risk of explosive spread of Zika as well as dengue and chikungunya," said Dr. Frieden.
The type of mosquito that usually carries the Zika virus in not in our area. But they are found in Florida and other Southern states and in some parts of California.
