By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
The Princeton Health Department is looking to stay one step ahead of the Zika virus should it spread to this country.
Municipal Health Officer Jeffrey C. Grosser said this week that he has been in touch with the Mercer County Mosquito Control in anticipation of mosquito season when the weather warms. In particular, the emphasis will be on monitoring so-called hot spots where mosquitoes breed as well as ensuring the testing of mosquitoes for the virus.
“Right now, we want people to understand that it’s an evolving situation,” he said.
Travelers, he said, should be aware of the countries reporting Zika transmission. That list can be found at www.cdc.gov/zika.
Councilwoman Heather H. Howard said Monday that the health department has been on top of Zika virus, “because we are, unfortunately, expecting that this may become an issue in New Jersey.”
“Even if the mosquitoes are not here, it may be transmitted in other methods,” she said.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that as of Wednesday, there have been 52 travel-related cases of Zika virus in the United States. Though symptoms are mild, there is a concern for pregnant women who might get infected, with reported cases of birth defects in children born in Brazil — one of the countries dealing with the virus.
So far, there have been no “local cases” of anyone catching Zika living in the United States, the federal government said. Though it can be spread through blood transfusions and sexual contact, the virus is mostly transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
