Zika Virus Hits Home For Locals With Family In South America

The Zika virus, which is considered a distant cousin of Chikungunya and malaria, is related to several birth defects.

“There’s primarily 20 countries in Central America, South America and the Carribean”, Smit explained. Metro Health officials added that the six had traveled to a variety of South American countries, and none of them is pregnant.

About 1.5 million Zika infections have been reported in Brazil, and 63.6 percent of those cases were women.

The Zika virus, a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, is spreading across Latin America.

Dr. Gregory Taylor said there have been four recent cases in Canada – two in British Columbia, one in Alberta and a newly disclosed case in Quebec, all of them involving people who recently travelled to affected areas.

It also appears the virus can cause microcephaly in newborns, however that investigation to confirm the link between the virus and babies born with unusually small heads.

The illness itself is generally mild, Taylor said.

Symptoms of Zika virus, which spreads to people through mosquito bites and is linked to severe birth defects, include fever, joint pain, rash, conjunctivitis, headache, muscle pain and eye pain.

While there is no evidence the Zika virus can be passed human to human, there have been reports the virus has been isolated in human blood and semen.

“The ministry has been working proactively with regards to Zika and Dengue virus”, she said.

One day after the World Health Organization warns the Zika virus is spreading explosively, three patients in SC are now being tested for it. There is still much we don’t know about this virus.

“Zika virus can not be transmitted through casual contact”, said Dr. Loren K. Robinson of the state Department of Health, who said there are no confirmed cases in the state.

“If you’re in an affected area, the way to prevent being infected is to avoid mosquitoes by using repellent and staying in air conditioned buildings”.