Defense Department records have shown 41 service members, including a pregnant woman, have been diagnosed with the Zika virus since DoD began to monitor infections this year, Military News reported Wednesday.Patricia Kime writes U.S. Air Force Maj. Benjamin Sakrisson confirmed that affected troops contracted the virus outside the continental U.S. and that DoD continues to track at-risk military installations.
“[We are actively testing mosquitoes] as part of our ongoing integrated vector control and surveillance programs at bases and installations,” Sakrisson said, according to the report.
Seven military family members also tested positive for Zika and were infected outside the U.S., Kime reports.
The report said approximately 200 U.S. military installations are located in areas where Zika-carrying mosquitoes have been found.
DoD began to monitor installations for the mosquito species that can carry the Zika virus in March.
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research currently works with Sanofi Pasteur to develop and manufacture a Zika vaccine.
