Although a plan to use genetically modified mosquitoes in Florida to fight the spread of Zika is on hold for now, a new survey says that most residents approve such a tactic. [More]
Zika
Florida Looking Into New Non-Travel Related Case Of Zika On Gulf Coast
By 8.23.16
Until now, the non-travel related cases of Zika that have popped up in Florida have been limited to a certain area in downtown Miami, as well as Miami Beach. That could be changing, after Gov. Rick Scott’s office said officials may have identified a new case of the virus that could possibly be linked to local mosquitoes on the Gulf Coast. [More]
New Cluster Of Zika Cases Linked To Local Mosquitoes Reported In Miami Beach
By 8.19.16
The tally of Zika cases linked to bites from local mosquitoes down in Florida has just grown, after health officials said they’ve identified new cases in Miami Beach. [More]
FTC Sends Warning Letters To Online Marketers Peddling Ineffective Zika-Prevention Products
By 8.5.16
It’s been a busy week for authorities going after sham products: a day after the New York Attorney General’s office announced that six companies had agreed to stop selling products that are ineffective at warding off Zika-carrying mosquitoes, the Federal Trade Commission is reminding a slew of businesses marketing Zika-prevention products that it’s illegal to make health claims that simply aren’t true. [More]
New York AG: 6 Of 7 Targeted Companies Will Stop Selling Ineffective Zika Prevention Products
By 8.4.16
Well, that was quick: a day after New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that the state had sent cease-and-desist letters to seven companies accused of peddling various Zika prevention products that don’t actually work, six of those businesses have agreed to stop selling and marketing the items. [More]
New York AG Going After Companies Shilling Ineffective Zika Prevention Products
By 8.3.16
With new cases of Zika virus linked to local mosquitos popping up for the first time in the U.S. down in Florida, some folks are no doubt looking for something to knock out those bad bugs. But New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says not all Zika prevention products out there are equal, and he’ll be going after companies that peddle ineffective products like ultrasonic devices and supposed Zika-banishing wristbands and patches. [More]
CDC Advising Pregnant Women Not To Travel To Miami Neighborhood Amid New Zika Cases
By 8.1.16
After health officials identified 10 more cases of Zika in Florida that may have been transmitted by local mosquitoes, federal health officials are advising women who are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant to avoid an area near downtown Miami where the virus is spreading. [More]
Florida Officials Investigating 4 Cases Of Zika That May Have Been Transmitted By Mosquitoes
By 7.29.16
For the first time in the U.S., health officials believe local mosquitoes may have transmitted the Zika virus to humans. [More]
WHO: Risk That The Olympics Will Further Spread Zika Virus Is “Very Low”
By 6.15.16
After convening a panel of experts to discuss the continuing spread of Zika, the World Health Organization reaffirmed that the virus is a public health emergency, but added that there’s a “low risk” of it spreading further if the Rio Olympic games go ahead as planned. [More]
Here’s A Map Of Where Scientists Have Found Mosquitoes Capable Of Carrying Zika In The U.S.
By 6.14.16
Mosquitoes are annoying enough, what with their desire to chomp on juicy humans. However, if the same kind of suckers that carry Zika virus elsewhere in the world could be dwelling among us, that could make them more than irksome: it could make them downright scary. So where exactly in the U.S. could mosquitos capable of carrying Zika mosquitoes show up? [More]
Here’s What’s Going On With The Rio Olympics & The Zika Virus
By 6.9.16
If you haven’t been living under a rock for the last few months, you’ve likely heard the words “Zika virus” and “Rio Olympics” paired together often, both in the media and everyday conversations. With the 2016 Summer Olympics set to start in August, you may be wondering what’s going on — is Zika a threat to tourists and athletes in Brazil? Will the games be postponed or moved? [More]
Scientists Suggest Zika Virus Can Be Transmitted Via Oral Sex
By 6.3.16
While health officials continue looking for a cure for the Zika virus, scientists are considering the possibility that the mosquito-borne illness could also be sexually transmitted from human to human. [More]
Consumer Reports Shares Mosquito Repellent Ratings For Zika Virus Prevention
By 2.5.16
Even if you’ve only been half paying attention to the news, you’ve heard something about the Zika virus, even if it’s only that a bunch of people have changed their travel plans, governments are advising couples to delay trying to conceive children, and someone had to rename a car. It’s spread mainly by mosquitoes, , and that’s something that our product-testing cousins down the hall at Consumer Reports can help with. They test mosquito repellents, and have released their ratings to non-subscribers. [More]
World Health Organization Declares Zika Virus “Emergency”: Which Airlines Offer Refunds, Rebooking?
By 2.1.16
The World Health Organization officially declared the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne illness that has been linked to birth defects in thousands of babies, an International Health Emergency. [More]
JetBlue Will Also Refund Tickets For Travel To Areas Hit By Zika Virus
By 1.28.16
JetBlue is joining the list of airlines allowing refunds for customers who are traveling to certain regions hit by the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne illness that has been linked to birth defects in thousands of babies. Travelers can either get their tickets refunded or rebook flights for free, a spokesman said Thursday. [via Reuters] [More]
Airlines Allowing Travelers To Zika Virus-Affected Countries To Cancel, Postpone Trips At No Cost
By 1.27.16
UPDATE: JetBlue is also offering refunds for travelers with tickets to regions affected by the Zika virus. [More]
