Zika Virus: Governor Declares State of Emergency in Four Counties; Red Cross Alters Blood Donation Policy

Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency on Wednesday in four counties where people have been diagnosed with Zika Virus. In response to the Zika outbreak, American Red Cross has advised to refrain from donating blood if you have been to Latin America or Caribbean in the past 28 days.

ABC News reports that a total of nine people have been diagnosed with Zika virus in Florida. Miami-Dade in south Florida, Hillsborough in Tampa Bay, Lee County in southwest Florida and Santa Rosa County in Florida Panhandle have all been affected by the executive order. Health officials believe that all of the infected have contracted the disease while outside of the United States.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito that carries the Zika virus is present in the southeast portion of the country including Florida although the mosquito populations are low during winter. Nevertheless, Scott wanted the state to be prepared for any possibility of spreading the disease.

In a statement on Wednesday, Scott was quoted saying by ABC, "Although Florida's current nine Zika cases were travel-related, we have to ensure Florida is prepared and stays ahead of the spread of the Zika virus in our state."

"Our Department of Health will continue to be in constant communication with all county health offices, hospitals and the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We know that we must be prepared for the worst even as we hope for the best," Scott added.

Although there have been no reports of the virus coming from mosquitoes in the U.S., there's a possibility that small outbreaks could happen as the winter ends. Last Tuesday, a rare case of sexually transmitted Zika virus was reported in Dallas by local health department.

Meanwhile, USA Today reports that Red Cross is also taking precautions against Zika virus. They are asking blood donors to contact them as soon as they develop symptoms. In a statement issued last Wednesday, blood donors should report to Red Cross within two weeks so they can quarantine their blood.

Susan Stramer, vice president of scientific affairs at the American Red Cross, said that the agency is dedicated to providing the safest, most reliable blood products possible to patients and will continue to do so despite the potential threat of Zika and other mosquito-borne viruses.

The Zika Virus has mild symptoms including mild fever, rash, joint pain, headache, and fatigue that can last up to a week, reports ABC News.

The announcement comes two days after a similar recommendation was issued by the American Association of Blood Banks. The statement believes that the virus can remain in the blood up to 28 days. The Canadian Blood Services has already prevented people from donating blood within 21 days of travelling outside of Canada.

More than 30 Americans have been diagnosed with Zika after travelling to Latin America or the Caribbean. Check out the video from Vox to know more about Zika virus: