The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention elevated the Emergency Operations Center to level 1 (highest concern) in response to the Zika outbreak. A total of 82 travel-associated cases have been reported in twenty-two states as of February 17th.
Additionally, the World Health Organization has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to affected areas showing increasing cases of microcephaly and other neurological disorders.
Zika is an enveloped virus in the same family as Hepatitis C, Dengue and West Nile viruses and transmitted via mosquito bite. The EPA is strongly recommending the use of approved insect repellents effective against Aedes mosquitoes.
Microchem Laboratory recently acquired Zika virus and is developing assays to assist customers in determining chemistry/device effectiveness. Contact the lab for more information on Zika virus or general virus testing.