PONTIAC – The Zika virus, which has potentially been linked to birth defects in infants in Central and South America, has not been found in Michigan, but Oakland County officials announced Friday that they were outlining plans to help prevent the disease.
The plans, announced by County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, are designed to monitor for the chance the disease-causing mosquito could come to the area, and to provide information to county residents about the mosquito and the disease.
Oakland County appears to be the first county in the state to announce such plans.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said state efforts now are focused on testing for the possible appearance of the disease, and discussions haven’t yet begun on statewide monitoring and control.
However, Bob Wheaton said the department encourages any community to conduct efforts for mosquito surveillance and control.
The Zika virus arrived in Central and South America in the last several years and has reached pandemic levels in some countries. Officials are so concerned about potential birth defects should a pregnant woman have the Zika virus in some countries officials have urged women to put off having children for several years while scientists search out vaccines or other controls. Pope Francis has even suggested artificial contraception could be used in countries where the virus is located to control its effects, which would change a 48-year old theological ban on contraception the Roman Catholic Church has had.
The disease – which is related to West Nile Virus – is generally spread by one species of mosquito (West Nile Virus can be spread by several different species of mosquitoes), the Aedes Aegypti which is active in daylight. There are rare cases where the virus has been spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus.
In announcing its plans, Oakland County officials said the county’s health division will meet with local government officials on March 4 to give updates on mosquito borne diseases and the Zika virus.
In June, the health division will begin to monitor for Aedes Aegypti in the county using traps for the insect.
The county also said it will distribute posters on the disease to OB/GYN offices in the county, as well keep updated a webpage it has created and its Facebook page on developments.
This story was published in Gongwer News Service. To subscribe, click on www.gongwer.com
