Danish man tests positive for Zika virus after Brazil trip

Brazil’s Health Ministry says it’s now recorded 4,120 suspected cases of microcephaly, a rare brain defect in babies that officials fear may be linked to the spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. That’s because Zika virus is linked to a sharp increase in a type of birth defect, called microcephaly, in Brazil.

A city worker fumigates insecticide to combat the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes that transmit the Zika virus, at the San Judas Community in San Salvador, El Salvador, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016.

There is still much to learn about Zika infections, experts said. He says that for women who are not pregnant and for men, the impact of contracting the Zika virus is generally mild. Research is underway to better understand the association. The NIAID is also working on testing new drugs that might be effective against the virus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised pregnant women to reconsider travel to Brazil and 21 other countries and territories with Zika outbreaks.

Microcephaly is a lifelong condition with no known cure, the CDC website said. Meanwhile, a Danish hospital confirmed that a tourist had been infected with the disease after visiting South and Central America. In severe cases, babies may need speech, occupational and physical therapy.

Argentina authorities say they are investigating a possible case of Zika infection. That precaution may be reasonable for expectant mothers he said, but others shouldn’t need to cancel travel plans to affected regions, as long as they take precautions to reduce their chances of being bit by a mosquito.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Environment Agency (NEA) on Wednesday (Jan27) said they have been monitoring the Zika virus situation closely, and that they will be introducing several measures to enhance surveillance of the disease and to protect Singaporeans.

On Tuesday, the CDC expanded its travel alert for pregnant women to add the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic to the list of areas with Zika outbreaks. But the South American country’s Ministry of Health this month has even failed to publish the official report on endemic and epidemic diseases, which typically comes out once a week, The AP noted.

United Airlines said its giving any customers “who are traveling to the affected regions the opportunity to rebook at a later date or receive a full refund”.

“For pregnant passengers that have already initiated their trips to the aforementioned destinations, they can return early, subject to seat availability, at no extra charge”, the airline said in a statement.

“There is a lot of effort going into this now, on the ground, in the laboratories, everywhere”, Lindmeier said.