California Confirms 2 Babies Born With Zika-Linked Microcephaly

“This is a sobering reminder for Californians that Zika can cause serious harm to a developing fetus,” says Dr. Karen Smith, director of the California Department of Public Health. Meanwhile, blood banks take steps to protect the nation's supply, few mosquitoes are seen in Rio as Olympics get started, spraying begins in Miami and more.

Los Angeles Times: Two Babies In California Born With Microcephaly From Zika, Officials Say

Two babies in California were born with microcephaly after their mothers were infected with Zika virus, state health officials said Thursday. The mothers had traveled to countries with outbreaks of the illness before becoming infected. Officials would not release any more information about the women or the babies. (Karlamangla, 8/4)

The Hill: Two Babies Born In California With Birth Defects From Zika

Two babies that were diagnosed with Zika-related microcephaly were born in California, a state public health official said, according to the Wall Street Journal. The women that gave birth to the babies had contracted Zika while abroad in countries where the virus is endemic. One of the women is from one of those countries and returned there after having her baby in California, said California Department of Public Health director Karen Smith. (Neidig, 8/4)

KQED: 2 California Babies Born With Zika-Related Defects

Two babies have been born with Zika-related birth defects in California to mothers who were infected in other countries, health officials said Thursday. The newborns survived. One of the mothers returned to her home country with her baby while the other remains in the state, according to the California Department of Public Health. (8/4)

The Wall Street Journal: Blood Banks Step Up Efforts Against Zika Contamination

As concerns rise about the spread of Zika in the U.S., regulators and blood banks are moving to protect the safety of the blood supply. To guard against accidental transmission of the mosquito-borne virus through blood transfusions, the Food and Drug Administration on July 27 told banks in Florida’s Miami-Dade and Broward counties—where officials are investigating the first cases in the continental U.S. of local transmission of the virus—to stop collecting blood until they can screen each donation for Zika. (Beck, 8/4)

KHN earlier, related coverage: Unintended Consequence: Blood Banks Could Feel The Squeeze From Zika Advisories (Luthra, 7/6).

Stat: Zika Threat Low, Few Mosquitoes Seen In Rio As Olympics Begin

Olympic athletes may be arming themselves with “Zika-proof” jackets and pants, but on the ground in Rio de Janeiro, locals stroll down the beach in thong bikinis and no bug spray. There just aren’t many mosquitoes. Leading up to tonight’s Olympic opening ceremonies in Rio, the worldwide hype about the Zika virus — including this New Yorker cover showing Olympic runners fleeing a cloud of mosquitoes — has been hard to avoid. (Bailey, 8/5)

The New York Times: Spraying Begins In Miami To Combat The Zika Virus

Aerial spraying of insecticide began Thursday in the one-mile-square area of Miami where mosquitoes have infected people with the Zika virus, and officials reported some glimmers of progress. “We are very encouraged by the initial results, which showed a large proportion of the mosquitoes killed,” Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a news conference here. But Dr. Frieden added, “This is going to take an intense effort.” (Alvarez and Belluck, 8/4)

The Associated Press: Pregnant Women Are Fearful Living In Miami’s Zika Hot Zone

Jessica Ardente waited 36 years to have her first baby. Her parents will visit in two weeks to watch their grandson’s ultrasound. There are cribs and car seats to shop for, a nursery to decorate, and bottles, diapers and clothes to buy. And now, on top of everything else, there is Zika to worry about. Ardente lives in the one-square-mile section of Miami that health officials are urging pregnant women to avoid because of the mosquito-borne illness, which can cause severe birth defects, including stunted heads. (Kennedy and Sladky, 8/4)

The Fiscal Times: 3 Zika Scams You Need To Know About

Now that the Zika virus is being transmitted on U.S. soil, criminals are hoping to take advantage of Americans’ growing concern about the virus. Here are three scams to watch out for. (Braverman, 8/4)

Kaiser Health News: Zika Is ‘Game-Changer’ For OB-GYN Doctors In Florida

Late last fall, Dr. Christine Curry was at a faculty meeting with her colleagues when the conversation turned to new reports linking the Zika virus to a surge in microcephaly in infants in Brazil. ... Curry, an obstetrician with a background in virology, volunteered to look into it for the rest of the staff. ... Since raising her hand at that meeting, Curry estimates her practice has seen about half of the 55 pregnant Floridians who have screened positive for Zika infection. For Curry and her colleagues, discussing Zika risks with patients has become a standard part of prenatal care. (Mack, 8/5)

The Columbus Dispatch: Number Of Zika Cases Rises To Five In Columbus

Columbus health officials have confirmed two additional cases of the Zika virus. That brings the total in the city to five. Jose Rodriguez, spokesman for Columbus Public Health, said two women, one in her 30s and one in her 60s, returned from trips to Puerto Rico and Nicaragua and reported symptoms to their physicians. Neither is pregnant. (Somerson, 8/4)

This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription