Although flu season has gotten a lot of attention recently, health authorities are reminding physicians and patients about the continued threat of Zika virus, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley.
To help curb the spread of the virus, which is transmitted through mosquito bites, mosquito repellent prescriptions will be covered through Medicaid and other state programs, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Healthy Texas Women program.
Females ages 10 through 55, pregnant women of any age, and males 14 and older are eligible for prescriptions, the Health and Human Services Commission said in an alert.
One can or bottle is permitted per pharmacy, with an additional refill allowed each month, officials said.
In 2017, 48 Zika cases were reported in Texas, mostly in urban counties and in South Texas, down from the 315 reported in 2016. South Texas saw a 21-percent spike in Zika-related birth defects in the last half of 2016, the most recent time period available, health officials said recently.
More information about Zika can be found at www.texaszika.org, or the TMA’s Infectious Diseases web page.
Last Updated On
September 06, 2023
Originally Published On
February 13, 2018