Efforts to protect residents against mosquito-borne diseases, including the dangerous Zika virus, continue in Delaware County, where Senior Medical Advisor Dr. George Avetian stressed the national call for all pregnant women to be tested for Zika.

At its most recent meeting, Delaware County Council approved a $46,789 grant application to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to continue its mosquito surveillance and control program, which now tests for both West Nile virus and Zika virus.

The vote came two days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an unprecedented travel warning advising pregnant women and their partners not to travel to the Miami area of Florida, where Zika is actively circulating.

This is the first time the CDC has warned people not to travel to an American neighborhood for fear of catching the infectious disease.

“This DEP grant will enable the Delaware County Penn State Extension technicians to trap, test, and treat as necessary for mosquitoes that may carry the Zika virus,” said Lori Devlin, director of the county’s Department of Intercommunity Health.

“This grant will also cover the cost of additional needed equipment and allow us to provide public outreach and education to the community.”

Dr. Avetian said there are 1,658 confirmed human cases of Zika in the United States. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, there are 61 confirmed cases in Pennsylvania.

To date, there have been no positive Zika mosquito tests in Delaware County, but residents are reminded to take precautions to eliminate any breeding ground for mosquitos and to protect themselves against mosquito bites.