Troops contract Zika virus
According to USAToday, the Pentagon has disclosed that at least 11 troops have been infected with the mosquito-borne virus Zika this year so far, as well as four dependents and two retires. All have traveled to countries where the virus is prevalent. Luckily, none of the four women who are infected are pregnant.
A fetus infected with the Zika virus during the first three months of pregnancy has about a 1% to 13% chance of developing microcephaly, an abnormally small head usually caused by incomplete brain development, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[…]
Troops suffering from the Zika were four soldiers, three Airmen, a Marine and three members of the Coast Guard, according to Sanchez. The first confirmed case was diagnosed in late January, the report said.
Fifteen of the 17 had traveled to South America or the Caribbean. They included four who visited Columbia, three who went to the Dominican Republic and three who visited Puerto Rico. One person had traveled to Brazil, which is dealing with a Zika epidemic.
“It is a fair assumption that the military is at higher risk for mosquito-borne infections,” said Amesh Adalja, a senior associate the Center for Health Security at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. “The military is stationed all over the world and often have prolonged outdoor exposure, enhancing the likelihood they will be bitten.”
According to the article, there are about 600 cases of the disease in the continental United States and double that number in US territories, although some people don’t demonstrate symptoms. It’s especially dangerous to unborn children and the virus causes permanent birth defects.
Thanks to Chief Tango for the link.
Category: Veteran Health Care
Well thankfully that Congress is working hard to pass a bill…oh wait, no they’re not…they’re just doing what they always do. Dick around and hope to get shit in the bill that has nothing to do with virus containment.
Why kill mosquitoes and contain the virus? Why not engage in another pissing match whenever you can?
Some days the Republicans are their own worst enemy when it comes to looking like they can govern effectively. They control house and senate and they can’t get an agreement? Nicely done, and we were laughing at the dems trying to get the ACA paid…the republicans aren’t showing any other signs of leadership on this issue.
It’s easy to mock the other side when you’re in the minority, but now the republicans have the majority and can’t deliver a simple Zika containment bill and funding to the White House…that lets Obama sit back and point out that the majority party can’t even agree on how to fund a bill to protect the public. Nicely done republicans, at this rate you’ll find a way to lose the house, the senate, and 1600 PA Ave if you keep this shit up.
From what I saw, they wanted to pay for it with money that had been earmarked for the Ebola outbreak and not been used during that period.
The Dems wanted more money and did not want to move the money to the new battle.
CDC needs more money. Zika is the latest ticket.