Virginia Senator Tim Kaine met today with doctors from VCU and the Red Cross, along with state health officials, to gather information and raise awareness about the health threat posed by the Zika virus.
Doctor Gonzalo Bearman is chief of infectious disease at VCU Medical Center. He was invited to speak with Senator Kaine about Zika -- a virus spread by mosquitoes that can cause birth defects. Bearman has diagnosed one case in Virginia so far, a young woman returning from missionary work in Haiti. That patient recovered fully, and is one of 27 cases in Virginia so far -- all from overseas travel.
“I think that for her, I’m just taking the isolated example of this individual, she never really thought of the dangers of going frequently to Haiti -- although she’s doing missionary work and goes three, four, or five times a year. She wasn’t taking the necessary precautions of wearing repellents, wearing long sleeve shirts and pants.”
Bearman cited that example for Senator Kaine as one reason that getting information out to the public is so important.
“I think take-aways for me -- just understanding it simply are -- be wary of travel to areas that are significantly affected by Zika, especially if you are in child-bearing age.”
Areas that are affected by Zika include Central and South America, Caribbean islands -- and Mexico.
The Virginia Department of Health has put together more information on Zika here.
