19 in the USA infected with Zika Virus, per report

Denmark has reported first Zika virus case after a Danish tourist returning from Latin America was found diagnosed with the virus.

Doctors hope the man’s arrival will not risk spreading the disease across Europe.

“But the trouble is if it infects women there is evidence that it causes a deformation, and the babies are born with smaller heads”.

As they get older the smallness of the skull becomes more and more obvious.

Five people in Portugal have tested positive for the mosquito-transmitted Zika virus after recent trips to Brazil, but none required admission to hospital, the National Health Institute (NHI) said on Thursday.

South American carriers LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines are also offering to change tickets for pregnant passengers traveling to Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, French Guiana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Surinam and Venezuela.

“Arkansas residents traveling to Central or South America or the Caribbean, where Zika is present, should take precautions against mosquitoes”, said Dr. Nate Smith, Arkansas Department of Health director and state health officer.

But the World Health Organisation has warned it is expected to spread to every country in the Americas except Canada and Chile.

The troops will make house-to-house visits to spread awareness of the mosquito-borne virus, handing out leaflets and insect repellent to Brazilians.

“If a case of Zika virus is suspected, appropriate samples for testing should be sent as early as possible to the PHE Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory”.

People with chronic illnesses and those with immune system disorders are being urged to seek advice from a health worker before travelling to countries affected by the Zika virus outbreak.

“Until more is known and out of an abundance of caution, pregnant women should consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is on-going”, the CDC said.

Brazil is deploying more than 200,000 soldiers to battle the Zika virus, which is believed to cause severe birth defects, the health ministry announced Wednesday.