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The White House
What you should
know about the Zika virus
You've probably heard news reports about Zika, a virus that's been
spreading across South and Central America as well as the Caribbean.
Zika is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes. In past outbreaks, the
vast majority of people who contracted Zika didn't experience symptoms.
For those with symptoms, they were relatively mild.
Zika infection in a pregnant woman can cause a serious birth defect
called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects. Zika
has also been linked to neurological disorders such as Guillain-Barré
syndrome in those infected, and we have learned that it can also be
spread from a man to his sexual partners.
We're learning more about this virus every day. As Surgeon General, my
job is to make sure that you have the information you need to stay safe
and healthy.
We are responding to local transmission of Zika by mosquitoes in Puerto
Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa -- and we are taking
steps to prepare for any transmission within the continental United
States. Right now, researchers are working hard to develop a vaccine
that will prevent Zika infections.
The federal government is also working closely with the states and
private partners to ensure that adequate testing capacity is available
so that anyone who may be infected -- especially pregnant women -- can
find out quickly and take steps to prevent further spread of Zika. We
are also working with states to help them refine and implement Zika
preparedness and response plans for their jurisdictions.
But this work takes resources. And we will need more resources to make
sure that communities across our country can address a potential Zika
outbreak.
That is why President Obama has requested funds to help us prevent,
detect, and treat this virus. It is my hope that Congress will act
quickly to provide funding so we can protect the American people from
the spread of Zika.
As the summer months approach and mosquito season begins, know that
there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from
Zika.
Sincerely,
Dr. Vivek Murthy 19th U.S. Surgeon General
Three things you need to know about the Zika Virus
https://www.whitehouse.gov/zika?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=email597-text&utm_campaign=zika
For the latest information and resources on the Zika virus, please go
to cdc.gov/zika.
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