China confirms third case of deadly Zika virus

Given the frequency of travel between South Africa and a number of countries now experiencing outbreaks of the Zika virus, it was likely that other sporadic imported cases would be seen in South Africa in travellers, as had been the experience in a number of countries, Motsoaledi said.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 21: Several cities in Brazil are using drones to detect and destroy the breeding grounds of the Aedes aegypti mosquito that transmits Zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses.

Experts predict the virus will spread throughout the US; the World Health Organization recently issued a public health emergency.

The scientists were able to identify “the full order of the virus’s genetic data, a significant step towards understanding how Zika behaves in the human body and how to develop a vaccine as well as new tests”, Agencia Brasil reported. The transmission of Zika virus from mother to infant during delivery is possible, so this recommendation applies to infants during the first two weeks of life whose mother traveled to those affected areas within two weeks of delivery.

“Right now, Zika is a disease of travelers”, said Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

Zika virus is primarily transmitted through a mosquito bite, and there is no indication that it can spread from person to person through casual contact. According to the patient, he was bitten by mosquitos.

Since the Zika virus has been suspected of causing birth defects, the federal government intensified its campaign to contain the disease by inspecting and fumigating residence and business buildings.