(CNN)Zika is working its way around the United States. It"s spreading across Florida, and is before long expected to reach Texas, Louisiana and other Southern states. It is a dizzying trip, and one that isn"t going to end anytime soon.
The virus spreads from a type of mosquito that has now officially been confirmed to carry Zika in Miami Beach. A massive effort to kill them in South Carolina produced a disaster for the bee population there.
But while mosquitoes are a key menace when it comes to Zika, the media and public officials are too focused on them. They also need to pay attention to sex: If we are going to stop the spread of this disease, we are going to need better access to Zika testing for anyone who is sexually active in a Zika zone.
Before the transmission of HIV through a blood transfusion, AIDS was known as GRID, or "gay-related immune disorder." There is public outrage over the recommendation that boys, as well as girls, be vaccinated for HPV. A look back at recent history reveals that we want to marginalize STDs, make them specific to one group of people while ignoring the fact that viruses don"t discriminate. It"s easy to make Zika an issue for pregnant women exclusively. But we can"t ignore the role that men and unsafe sex play in trying to prevent the spread of Zika.
No matter the epidemic, there are always a limited amount of medical resources to go around. Tough decisions have to be made and those who are most affected by Zika surely ought to get attention first. But Zika is an STD, one that can be passed on to partners and developing infants just like HIV, chlamydia and syphilis.
All who might carry it should know their carrier status. State, local and federal agencies need to push testing availability and coverage. Battling mosquitoes is only part of the response that Zika demands.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/11/opinions/zika-should-be-called-an-std/index.html
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