USA threatened by the Zika virus outbreaks

As the virus responsible for microcephaly in babies continues to spread, officials raise concerns about the way USA could be affected

A new study published in the PLOS Currents: Outbreaks journal underlines that the US can be the perfect area in which the Zika virus can proliferate.

As Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are carrying and spreading the virus to primates, the Zika disease will appear wherever these mosquitoes can survive. Apparently, humid and hot climates are preferred, like South America. Brazil, for example, has already registered 1.5 million Zika cases.

Researchers from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) forecast that this year's hot summer weather above the equator will result in A. aegypti mosquitoes spreading to the north. Consequently, the study predicts that Hawaii and the southern states such as Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and the south of California are prone to Zika virus outbreaks, because the A. aegypti populations can be very comfortable in these areas. Major cities, including New York and Miami can also be affected.

Nevertheless, thanks to better governmental disease control systems and infrastructure, the outbreaks set to follow in the U.S., even if inevitable, are not expected to be as severe as the ones in South America.

“Even if the virus is transmitted here in the continental U.S., a quick response can reduce its impact,” commented Mary Hayden, medical anthropologist at NCAR.