First Irish cases of Zika virus detected: health executive
There are now no reports of Zika virus being locally transmitted by mosquitoes in the continental U.S. However, imported cases could potentially spread because the same type of mosquitoes that can transmit the virus live in parts of the U.S., primarily in Southern states.
Meanwhile, Indian Health authorities have warned pregnant women not to travel to countries affected by Zika virus.
There remain no documented cases of Zika virus infection by mosquito bite in the U.S. “Neither case is at risk of pregnancy”.
Researchers are investigating a possible link between the virus and a spike in the number of babies born with microcephaly in Brazil, since the virus was discovered there past year.
Over the last few days I received many calls from people concerned about the Zika virus.
Just one day after the World Health Organization deemed the virus as an worldwide health emergency, officials in Dallas County said the patient had contracted the virus via sexual contact and not through a mosquito bite, as reported by NBC.
New figures from Brazil’s Health Ministry show that the Zika virus outbreak has not caused as many confirmed cases of a rare brain defect as first feared. “Sexual partners can protect themselves by using condoms to prevent spreading sexually transmitted infections”. These are the first cases of Zika virus infection confirmed in Ireland.
DCHHS says people with symptoms should see a doctor if they’ve visited an area where Zika virus is present or had sexual contact with a person who traveled to an area where Zika virus is present. Those who do become ill typically have mild symptoms: fever, rash, headache, joint pain and pink eye, according to the WHO.
WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Zhan yesterday declared the virus a “public health emergency of global concern”.
The WHO has estimated that there could be up to 4 million cases of Zika in the Americas in the next year.