The Rhode Island Health Department is keeping an eye on Zika virus — a disease linked to a severe birth defect called microcephaly.
There have been eighteen confirmed cases of Zika in the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports all of these cases were contracted outside of state lines.
The mosquito known to carry Zika in Florida is not established in Rhode Island. However, the state may be at risk for another mosquito which also carries the virus.
“We do know that isolated mosquitos have been found here. And we have ramped up our surveillance for those mosquitos,” say Rhode Island Department of Health spokeswoman Andrea Bagnall Degos.
Degos says despite this concern, the greater risk for expecting mothers is travel.
“The issue for Rhode Island mothers who are pregnant is that they should not travel to an area where Zika is present. Same thing with their partners. It’s really important that they follow steps to prevent mosquito bites.”
The Health Department recommends cleaning areas that collect water, such as birdbaths or gutters, to discourage mosquito breeding in residential areas.
On Tuesday, state representatives announced $200,000 of federal money will go towards detecting cases of micrecephaly in Rhode Island.