USOC to hire infectious disease specialists for Zika

Recent cases suggest the virus may also be transmissible via sexual intercourse, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After that, scientists will look for antibodies that the body makes to defend against the virus, but it is hard to distinguish those caused by Zika from those caused by dengue, chikungunya or yellow fever, all viruses are from the same family.

More than anything, Rattay stressed, the best way to avoid zika and other viruses while traveling to affected areas is to take measures to prevent mosquito bites in the first place. There are no known cases of mosquito-transmitted Zika within the continental United States, but cases have been confirmed in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Federal and state officials say cases of the virus have been confirmed in at least 13 states and the District of Columbia.

However, though the virus is a danger to pregnant women and those trying to become pregnant, its effects are relatively mild for everyone else.

“Working with our Brazilian colleagues, the CDC laboratory was able to identify the genetic material of the Zika virus in the brain tissues of the two infants who died of microcephaly”, he said.

It’s that time of year when people are making March break travel plans but there’s more to consider than what to pack.

The person, whose identity and gender were not released, had recently traveled to a country in the Caribbean or Central or South America and contracted the virus, said Beth Gabor, a spokeswoman for the Northern California county.

Primarily, that means protecting yourself against mosquito bites.

Brazil, which is grappling with cases of microcephaly, and Colombia are the countries most affected by the mosquito-borne disease in the Americas.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated earlier this week, US soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo said if the Olympics were being held now, she wouldn’t go. About 50 US residents have been infected while traveling. Doctors documented an increase in the number of babies born with an abnormally small head. There have been 35 travel-associated cases in the USA since 2015, and no reports of local transmission.

Pregnant women in general, including those who develop symptoms of Zika virus infection, should see their health care provider for close monitoring.