Zika Survivor Says 'I Could Feel My Skin Shrinking'
BOSTON (CBS) - A 46-year-old landscaper, who does not want to be identified, says last month he went to Brazil to visit his 90-year-old ailing father.
While he was there he was bitten by several mosquitoes. When he returned home to the U.S. he discovered he had the Zika virus.
"My lips burned all over. I could feel my skin shrinking in my face and ears," he said. "I was very hot."
Health officials say there are seven reported cases of Zika virus in Massachusetts. All are connected to people who were traveling abroad. Now they also say mosquitoes capable of carrying the Zika virus can now be found in 30 states.
The man says he had a rash all over his body and his temperature reached 110 degrees.
The virus has been linked to severe birth defects and some neurological complications in adults. "As far as I know people die because of that because of not the right treatment and they got a lot of blood samples from me," the man said.
This week mosquito spraying will begin throughout the state. Normally it's for West Nile Virus and EEE, now there is added concern of the Zika virus.
"Especially now in the spring, when we're going to have a lot of mosquitoes around, go to the doctors as soon as you feel any different symptoms connected to fever or body pain," the man said.
