Nebraska public health officials say the Zika virus poses very little threat to residents.
The mosquito-borne virus has been reported in 30 countries. For most people, the virus causes no symptoms, or mild ones. But in Brazil, health officials are investigating whether 3,600 cases of microcephaly in babies is linked to the Zika virus. The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern because of Zika.
Nebraska state epidemiologist Dr. Tom Safranek says if pregnant women have to travel to one of the affected countries, they should take precautions.
"Any expectant mother, or anyone who thinks they might be pregnant, needs to carefully weigh the risks of Zika virus infection and the potential for a birth defect like microcephaly before traveling to those areas. And that’s a very clear and widely proclaimed public health recommendation at this point in time."
The WHO estimates three to four million people will be infected with Zika within the next year. Cases of the virus have been reported in Texas and Florida.