Pregnant woman among 3 confirmed Zika cases in New York City

“Nassau County residents are urged to heed the CDC’s travel alert, warning pregnant women to avoid travel to the 24 countries where the Zika virus is spreading and causing birth defects”, Mangano said.

As for those people who are not traveling in one of the 23 countries infected with Zika, medical professionals are adamant that there is no reason to worry about contracting the disease within the U.S.

Zika is spread through infected Aedes mosquitoes, a species of mosquito that also transmits dengue and Chikungunya viruses.

But the World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned that more investigation and research are needed to understand the relationship between microcephaly in babies and the Zika virus.

“The symptoms are common symptoms; fever, joint pain, pink-eye and a rash”. Outbreaks of Zika have occurred in Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, and the Pacific Islands, and it is likely that outbreaks will spread to new countries. You can see the list here. “For this reason the risk of Zika virus infection in Canada is considered very low”.

Past year six cases were reported and 57 in 2014.

There is no vaccine or treatment for the infection, and officials believe it may be linked to microcephaly, a brain defect developed in fetuses.

Experts say most people don’t experience severe symptoms when dealing with the virus. Zika virus was first detected in 1947. But officials with the health department say there are ways people can keep themselves safe.

He said there have been a few reports suggesting the possibility that Zika can be transmitted through blood transfusions or sex.

“In the meantime, Canadian Blood Services is asking all potential donors who have recently travelled to places outside Canada, U.S. and Europe to postpone their appointments for one month following their return”, Taylor said.

However, with the onset of spring and summer, the risk of Zika virus transmission in Europe will grow, as mosquitoes find better breeding grounds in warmer climates. “However, if you do have travel plans, particularly if you are a pregnant woman, if you plan to travel anywhere in the Caribbean, Central, South America, this is something you should discuss with your clinician”, Wolfe added.