Zika Virus

Florida mosquitoes ‘likely’ spreading Zika virus, Puerto Rico labeled ‘epidemic’ by CDC

By Nsikan Akpan

Florida health officials concluded local transmission of Zika virus is occurring in Miami-Dade County, while Puerto Rico continues to be hit hard by the disease.

2 Florida counties halt blood donations, as evidence mounts for local Zika transmission

By Nsikan Akpan

FDA has temporarily suspended blood donations in two Florida counties due to fears over Zika virus.

How a Caribbean island became prime source of U.S. Zika cases

By Phil Galewitz, Kaiser Health News

More than 1,400 Americans contracted Zika while traveling outside the U.S. this year and a Caribbean-island nation is one of the top destinations where they caught the virus.

First female-to-male sexual transmission of Zika reported in New York City

By Nsikan Akpan

A New York City resident has become the first woman suspected of transmitting Zika virus to a sexual partner.

Here’s what Congress did — and didn’t do — this year

By Associated Press

Congress is out for a seven-week recess with several major accomplishments to highlight for voters and plenty of unfinished business.

Blood banks could feel the squeeze from Zika advisories

By Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News

As public health officials hustle to implement strategies like these to undermine the threat of the Zika virus, one such tactic could exacerbate a different health concern: maintaining the nation’s supply of donated blood.

Florida confirms 10 new cases of Zika virus as U.S. total nears 1,000

By Michael D. Regan

Florida health officials confirmed on Friday the discovery of 10 new cases of the Zika virus in parts of the state.

Zika virus a concern for poor urban areas along Gulf Coast

By Nomaan Merchant, Associated Press

Tropical disease specialists are most concerned about impoverished urban areas along the Gulf Coast, where the numbers of the mosquito that spreads Zika are expected to spike.

Washed-ashore body parts is latest woe for troubled Rio Olympics

By Joshua Barajas

The body parts were first discovered by a Rio street vendor, police confirmed to Reuters, on the world-famous Copacabana Beach, also the site of this year’s Olympic beach volleyball competitions.

Senate Democrats block GOP-drafted Zika bill

By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press

A dysfunctional Senate split along party lines on Tuesday and left a $1.1 billion proposal to fight the Zika virus in limbo, despite growing fears and a more than 800 cases of Zika infection in the continental U.S.