Case of sexually transmitted Zika is confirmed in Texas

A United States travel alert has been issued for two more destinations because of the Zika virus. Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCCHS) said that it received confirmation of the infection from the CDC, but the CDC said that it did not investigate how the transmission occurred, according to Reuters. The infection is linked to the development of unusually small heads and brain damage in newborns. It also has been associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks part of the nervous system.

The main concern with the Zika virus is its association with microcephaly in babies whose mothers became infected while pregnant, though the link has yet to be scientifically proven.

“We have 20,000 confirmed cases of Zika”, Gaviria told reporters outside the meeting.

World Health Organization expert Anthony Costello spoke Wednesday of the need for quick action against Zika, which has the potential to spread far beyond the Americas. “We still think Zika virus is only likely to be a significant problem for pregnant women”.

Brazil is taking steps to stop the spread of the virus, according to LaPook, and the USA could adopt similar measures.

What are the symptoms of Zika infection? “An infected mosquito can then transmit the virus to other people”. But as many as 80 percent of people infected never develop symptoms.

Ostfeld, whose research has shown that the rise of Lyme disease is related to a decline in biodiversity, says that “There’s not a clear cut extrapolation from the effects of biodiversity loss on Lyme disease to biodiversity effects on diseases like Zika, dengue, and chikungunya”.

How can Zika be contained? .

For now, the key in infected areas is to try to control mosquitoes and for people to wear adequate clothing, use insect repellent and sleep under bednets, Hartl said. Some countries in the region have advised women to delay pregnancy, and the CDC advises pregnant women to delay travel to those areas where Zika is spreading. World Health Organization officials said the total number of cases could hit 4 million by the end of the year. Brazil has been the nation most affected. Currently, those include Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

What is the history of the Zika virus? .

Barbados is reporting no major cancellations in visitor bookings over Zika fears.

The Zika virus will run its course, before it can be tamed. Scott said in a statement Wednesday.

Governor Rick Scott said, “Today I am directing Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong to declare a public health emergency in the four counties that have individuals with the Zika virus”. One of the scientists with the virus sexually transmitted it through unprotected sex with his wife before he started showing symptoms.