AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Texas has identified 33 cases of the Zika virus that all were associated with overseas travel – but the virus is expected to begin spreading within the state soon.
Top state officials told a Texas Senate health panel Tuesday that potential hot zones include Dallas, Houston, the Gulf Coast and the Rio Grande Valley. Zika is commonly spread by mosquitoes.
There have been 500-plus Zika cases nationwide, but all involved foreign travel.
Health officials told lawmakers that Texas can only conduct a few dozen blood tests for the virus per week. That means an outbreak could overwhelm the system.
Texas has formed a special infectious disease task force, and scientists are working on a vaccine. But it won’t be ready by when peak mosquito season begins later this month.
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