14 new reports of possible sexually transmitted Zika virus — CDC

Sexual transmissions would represent a significant portion of U.S. Zika cases if all 14 are confirmed.

She said several studies are planned that will look into this, but until that information is available, it is safer for women to protect themselves during pregnancy. The birth defect is characterized by an abnormally small head and brain that may lead to significant developmental delays. “Today, CDC added the following destinations to the Zika virus travel notices: Trinidad and Tobago and the Marshall Islands”.

The 14 cases all involve men who visited areas with Zika outbreaks, and who many have infected their female sex partners, who had not traveled to those areas.

Earlier this month, a case was confirmed in Texas, spurring the CDC to release guidelines on preventing sexual transmission of the virus. In 2008 a US researcher was infected in Africa and infected his wife back in Colorado. In another, Zika was found in semen.

Residents are also urged to take necessary precautions and eliminate mosquito larva in their homes and workplaces.

Hawaii has become the latest victim of the deadly Zika virus with Governor David Ige declaring a state of emergency.

The majority of people with Zika virus have no symptoms. After that, health officials advised men who traveled to affected areas to abstain from sex or use condoms during sex.

Image: World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan (L) receives a T-shirt from Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff during their meeting at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, February 23, 2016.

The Zika epidemic is a real-life science experiment.

Brazilian experts say this suggests the virus can infect the foetus. Other viruses are spread this way, too: yellow fever, dengue, West Nile and chikungunya.

Zika virus is mainly spread by mosquito bites, and sexual transmission has been considered rare.

Zika virus can be spread by a man to his sex partners. These cases show the virus was possibly transmitted through sex from a man to his sexual partner. However, the CDC said more research needs to be completed to understand the issue.

The CDC isn’t sure how long the risk of sexually transmitted Zika lasts, but said they are looking into answering that question.

Research is also underway into a possible link between Zika infection and a paralyzing condition in adults called Guillain-Barre syndrome. There is no evidence Zika can be transmitted to babies through breast milk. “I hope that means they think that the study is important”, she said. “We are learning more every single day about this virus and its effects in people”.

Developed symptoms suggestive of Zika virus infection during the past four weeks. “But pregnant women, we believe, are at a very substantial risk of complications”.

Zika has caused outbreaks in at least 29 countries in the Americas.