CDC: 14 more U.S. reports of possible Zika spread through sex

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with state health departments, is investigating 14 new reports of possible sexual transmission of Zika in the USA, the agency announced Tuesday.

According to the CDC website, local transmission means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with Zika virus, spreading it to people.

The chances of pregnant women getting Zika where mosquitoes potentially carrying the virus are being sprayed in central Queensland is “very, very low”, the state’s health body says.

Four other women have tested positive for Zika in preliminary lab tests but are awaiting final confirmation.

There are eight other suspected cases under investigation.

Currently, there are a total of 32 Zika cases in Florida, including the three pregnant women.

The virus is known to be actively transmitted in Mexico and the northern portion of South America, as well as Puerto Rico and pregnant women or women hoping to become pregnant are asked to delay travel to areas where the virus is being actively transmitted. Serious birth defects have been reported in children born to women who were infected with Zika virus during pregnancy.

The CDC has confirmed a case of Zika virus infection in a non-traveler after the person’s sexual partner returned from an affected country and developed symptoms.

Much remains unknown about Zika, including whether the virus actually causes microcephaly.

It said it has earlier this month published an interim recommendation for protecting people against sexual transmission of the Zika virus. Some of the patients are pregnant women, the report relays. There have been rare reported cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome following Zika virus infection.

The CDC recommends that all travelers use insect repellent while in Zika outbreak areas, and continue to use it for three weeks after travel in case they might be infected but not sick.

There have been tow additional blood samples sent to be tested for the Zika virus, but the minister said there were no results as yet. The CDC believes the 14 new cases may have been acquired by sexual transmission.

Fever, rash, joint pain and red, itchy eyes are common symptoms.

However, the mosquito that carries the Zika virus, Aedes aegypti, was found breeding around his hotel in Rockhampton, 640 kms (400 miles) north of the state capital of Brisbane.