Texan Contracts Zika From Sexual Encounter

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Zika to be an worldwide public health emergency on Monday.

In another case report, researchers suggested Zika virus could have been spread through other bodily fluids, such as saliva, although it appeared the virus was more likely transmitted sexually.

Health officials in Texas have confirmed the first case of the Zika virus acquired through sexual transmission. The declaration was made after an emergency meeting of independent experts called in response to a spike in babies born with brain defects and abnormally small heads in Brazil since the virus was first found there previous year.

The Florida Department of Health is reporting six new cases of the Zika virus in Florida, bringing the statewide total to nine. Including but not limited to red eyes, joint pains, fever, and rash.

“DCHHS advises individuals with symptoms to see a healthcare provider if they have visited an area where Zika virus is present or had sexual contact with a person who traveled to an area where Zika virus is present”, the agency stated in a press release. But one local doctor says you have nothing to worry about, unless you have been traveling.

But the Pan American Health Organization said more evidence was needed to confirm sexual contact as a means of Zika transmission.

“The mosquitoes known to transmit the virus are not established in Canada and are not well suited to our climate”.

Humans pick up the Zika virus from mosquitoes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said. There are also cases of the virus being passed on during labor and blood transfusion, which suggest the virus can be transmitted from person to person through bodily fluids and not just by mosquitoes.

Dallas County health officials said in a tweet on Tuesday that the confirmed patient did not travel but was infected after having sexual contact with an ill person who had returned from Venezuela.

Public health officials in Dallas County have confirmed the first sexually transmitted case of the Zika virus, which is said to be linked to birth defects.

Until now health officials have focused on mosquitoes as the primary carrier of the virus. Usually these symptoms are mild and only last several days.

It recommended that people use condoms to prevent the spread of the infection.