State health officials urged to get ready now for Zika

CDC image click to ExpandMaps have been updated from a variety of sources. These maps represent CDC’s best estimate of the potential range of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in the United States. Maps are not meant to represent risk for spread of disease. — CDC image click to Expand Maps have been updated from a variety of sources. These maps represent CDC’s best estimate of the potential range of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in the United States. Maps are not meant to represent risk for spread of disease.

MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer

ATLANTA (AP) — The government is urging health officials around the country to prepare now for any possible outbreaks of the mosquito-borne Zika virus in the U.S. this summer. See CDC response to Zika here

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hosted about 300 state and local officials at a “Zika Summit” on Friday at the agency’s headquarters in Atlanta.

A Zika epidemic has been sweeping through Latin America and the Caribbean. Officials think it’s likely some small clusters of Zika will occur in the U.S. when mosquito numbers boom.

The virus causes only a mild and brief illness, at worst, in most people. But infections in pregnant women have been linked to a brain defect and fetal deaths.

There have been about 300 cases of Zika in the U.S. — all linked to travel to outbreak areas.