US Health Officials: Zika 'Scarier Than We Thought'

Top health officials in the U.S. say the Zika virus is "scarier" than first thought.

The Zika virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. It can cause birth defects, such as an abnormally small head, a condition called microcephaly.

Dr. Anne Schuchat is Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Dr. Anthony Fauci is with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. They both spoke at the White House this week.

From the White House, Schuchat warns the U.S. needs to be ready.

"Everything we look at with this virus seems to be a bit scarier than we initially (first) thought. While we don't see widespread transmission, we need the states to be ready for that."

Schuchat and Fauci said there are other health problems linked to Zika, not just microcephaly. Those health problems may include Guillain-Barre syndrome, which paralyzes. Also, patients have shown brain inflammation that looks like multiple sclerosis.

Schuchat said there are other troubling developments.

"Most of what we're learning is not reassuring. We have learned that the virus is linked to a broader set of complications in pregnancy, not just microcephaly but also prematurity, eye problems and other conditions. We've also learned that the virus is likely to be a problem at much of the pregnancy period, not just probably the first trimester but potentially throughout the pregnancy."

Officials say they are worried about the spread of the disease. They say "hundreds of thousands" could become infected in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.

They have asked Congress for $1.9 billion to fight the virus. Fauci said if Congress does not act, health workers will not be able to stop Zika from spreading.

Fauci said, "We really don't have what we need."

Fauci said health officials are fighting the virus with money borrowed from other funds. Last week, the Obama administration said it was directing $589 million to fight Zika. The money had been set to fight Ebola, but is now going to Zika.

Schuchat said "we also feel a sense of urgency about Ebola and the global health security agenda. Ebola is still circulating in Liberia and Guinea, and many of the vulnerable countries in Africa are having outbreaks right now. We have to be, as a country, ready to support response to more than one outbreak at a time."

Obama administration officials have warned that without more money to fight Zika, infection might increase. Officials say there will be delays in controlling and monitoring mosquitoes, and in testing and developing a vaccine.

There are at least 672 confirmed cases of Zika in the United States. These include 64 pregnant women. One Zika-related case of microcephaly was confirmed in the island state of Hawaii.

Health officials say in the United States, the virus has been reported mostly in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. But they say they believe it will spread in the continental United States in the coming months.

Schuchat said she does not expect there will be large numbers of infections in the 48 states between Canada and Mexico, but she is not certain.

At the recent press conference at the White House, Schuchat said that the mosquito spreading Zika is found in more U.S. states than first thought.

Again, here is Schuchat.

"We have learned that the mosquito vector, the aedes aegypti mosquito, is present in a broader range of states in the continental U.S. So, instead of the about 12 states where the mosquito aedes aegypti is present, we believe about 30 states have the mosquito present."

About 40 million people travel yearly between the continental U.S. and countries with Zika. The Obama administration says that as of last week, 33 countries and territories in the Americas reported active cases of Zika.

In Puerto Rico, 31 health workers from the Centers for Disease Control are working. A center used to fight dengue fever is now fighting Zika. That includes controlling and monitoring mosquitoes, and educating pregnant women about avoiding infection.

Schuchat said that about 5,000 packages have been given out in Puerto Rico. The packages include chemicals to repel mosquitoes, information on how to protect against infection, condoms, and vouchers to buy screens to keep mosquitoes from entering the home.

I'm Anna Matteo.

VOA Correspondent Aru Pande reported this story from The White House. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.

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Words in This Story

initially – adj. of or relating to the beginning

transmission – n. the act or process by which something is spread or passed from one person or thing to another

infect – v. to cause (someone or something) to become sick or affected by disease

vaccine – n. a substance that is usually injected into a person or animal to protect against a particular disease

continental US – n. the 48 states between Canada and Mexico; does not include Hawaii, Alaska or US territories such as Puerto Rico

Americas – n. the countries of North, Central and South America

dengue – n. a disease spread by mosquitoes that causes flu-like sympts. It can develop into severe dengue, which can be fatal.

condom – n. a thin rubber covering that a man wears on his penis during sex in order to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant or to prevent the spread of diseases

screen – n. a sheet that is made of very small wire or plastic strings which are woven together and that is set in a frame in a window, door, etc., to let air in but keep insects out