Texas reports case of sexually transmitted Zika virus

The virus has now spread to 26 countries and territories including Brazil, which is the country hardest hit, with 3,700 suspected cases of microcephaly that may be linked to Zika.

Since the disease is typically spread through mosquito bites, health officials had expected most of the country to be spared any threat of domestic Zika infection until the end of the winter.

The WHO’s primary concern about the virus is its possible link to microcephaly – a condition that results in brain damage and smaller-than-normal head sizes in newborn babies.

Dallas County Health and Human Services said a person acquired the virus while in Venezuela and came back and transmitted the disease to a second person via sexual transmission.

On Tuesday night, the U.S. reported its first known case of Zika being transmitted within the country through sexual contact.

Health officials are now cautioning people exposed to the virus to be extra careful. The traveller from South America, now identified as patient O and the person in Dallas, now identified as patient 1 have both tested positive according to local health authorities.

Humans pick up the Zika virus from mosquitoes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said.

Zika virus is usually transmitted by mosquitoes, but previous year a team of medical researchers confirmed that the virus could also be passed on sexually.

Officials said this is the first case of the virus to be transmitted locally in Texas, although there are seven others in Houston and Harris County who have confirmed cases of the virus after traveling overseas. Including but not limited to red eyes, joint pains, fever, and rash. But more evidence is needed to confirm sexual contact as a likely means of Zika transmission. In a 2008 case reported by the CDC, a man returned home to Colorado after visiting Senegal, where Zika was present. Health officials and Thompson noted that sexual partners can protect themselves by using condoms to prevent spreading sexually transmitted infections.

“If you become ill within two weeks after your return to Ireland from an affected area, you should contact your doctor for assessment and let him/her know of your recent travel history to an affected area”, the HSE adds.