Capital Highlights
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Governors confer about containing spread of Zika
AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on June 9 participated in a White House-hosted conference call for governors to discuss the Zika virus threat and what to do about it.
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Tom Frieden led the call.
Frieden said no vaccine exists to prevent the Zika virus disease, and the way for individuals to prevent contracting the disease is to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes.
“With the recent floods, and as we enter the height of mosquito season, I encourage Texans to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito exposure and heed all warnings and recommendations from health officials,” Abbott said after the conference call.
While the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response and the Department of State Health Services finalize a plan to combat the spread of the virus, the most important thing Texans can do is to remain vigilant, including when traveling abroad to countries experiencing Zika outbreaks and eliminating standing water, Abbott added.
On May 13, the CDC gave states and territories until June 13 to apply for funds to fight Zika.
The CDC acknowledged the $85 million in available funding is not enough to support a comprehensive Zika response and can only temporarily address what is needed.
DSHS reports on Zika
The Texas Department of State Health Services on June 10 said Texas has had 41 reported cases of Zika virus disease.
Of those cases, 40 were in travelers who were infected abroad and diagnosed after they returned home; one of those travelers was a pregnant woman. One case involved a Dallas County resident who had sexual contact with someone who acquired the Zika infection while traveling abroad.
The DSHS posted this list of Zika cases by county: Bexar, 6; Collin, 1; Dallas, 6; Denton, 2; Ellis, 1; Fort Bend, 2; Grayson, 1; Harris, 13; Tarrant, 4; Travis, 2; Val Verde, 1; Williamson, 1; and Wise, 1, for a total of 41 cases.
The DSHS is advising Texans to protect themselves against Zika by applying EPA-registered insect repellents; wearing pants and long-sleeved shirts that cover exposed skin; using screens or closing windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out; removing standing water in and around the home; and covering trash cans or containers where water can collect.
West Nile is here, too
