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House Motion Filed to Combat Zika Virus

By on January 29, 2016

SAN JUAN – Rep. José Aponte Hernández has filed a motion in the lower legislative chamber to investigate the measures taken by the Health Department and other agencies to address the spread of the Zika virus in Puerto Rico.

The the New Progressive Party legislator introduced House Resolution 1435, which orders the Health Committee to initiate a process that includes the evaluation of protocols and measures to be implemented to fight the new virus.

The measure also seeks to corroborate their effectiveness and carry out the necessary efforts to control and prevent the spread of the virus.

This January 2016 image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a Zika virus, a mosquito-borne disease that has been linked in Brazil to a large number of cases of microcephaly, a rare birth defect. Infants with microcephaly have smaller than normal heads and their brains do not develop properly.

This January 2016 image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a Zika virus, a mosquito-borne disease that has been linked in Brazil to a large number of cases of microcephaly, a rare birth defect. Infants with microcephaly have smaller than normal heads and their brains do not develop properly.

The politician said that the virus, officials say, “is one with the potential to become a health emergency. That is why we have to evaluate the actions to be taken, so they are in line with the reality of this situation.”

According to the Pan American Health Organization, 20 countries have reported the detection of the Zika virus in their territories. They are Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, French Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, the island of St. Maarten, Suriname and Venezuela.

The health organization believes the virus eventually will spread to all Latin American countries.

As for Puerto Rico, 19 cases have been confirmed.

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