Sonoma County Health Officials Ramping Up Efforts Against Zika

Sonoma County, CA -- Health officials in Sonoma County are increasing their efforts to fight the Zika virus as the number of cases increase in the U.S.

According to The Press Democrat, "mosquito traps are out and medical surveillance systems are being put into place" and officials are increasing their education outreach efforts.

The local efforts come after one local case of Zika and after Florida's governor declared an emergency response. Fourteen total cases have been reported in the East Coast state. So far, there have been more than 1,600 cases of Zika in the U.S.

The virus spreads mostly through a mosquito bite from the Aedes species and can be dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn babies, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects. Other problems include defects of the eye, hearing deficits, and impaired growth.

--Image via Patch