CDC holds 'Zika Summit' – warns U.S. officials to prepare for outbreaks
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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.
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.
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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.