Health officials probe tie between Zika, paralyzing syndrome

Infants are most at risk from Zika, as mothers can pass the infection on to their fetus, leading to microcephaly – a rare birth defect where babies are born with abnormally small heads and developmental delays.

Cases in Brazil, Hawaii, El Salvador and Venezuela were reported over the past two months, the EDCD said, while a total of 27 countries reported cases of the Zika virus in the last nine months.

Official figures show 96 pregnant women are suspected of having contracted the virus, but so far none have had babies born with microcephaly.

-Women trying to get pregnant are also advised to consult with their doctor and follow steps to prevent mosquito bites.

There is no cure for ZIKV.

The simplest answer: Don’t travel to places where mosquitoes carry and spread it. That list of places is growing, though – the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added eight destinations, a lot of them in the Americas, to the list Friday, as more information emerges about the dangers of the virus, which scientists say could be linked to microcephaly, a birth defect, and potentially paralysis, too.

In Brazil, the authorities reported more than 3,500 cases of microcephaly this past year, which is a dramatic increase from the 150 cases that were confirmed in 2014.

“Because there is no treatment for Zika virus at this time, women should be counseled about all options available to them”, he said. Because theAedes species mosquitoes that spread Zika virus are found throughout the world, it is likely that outbreaks will spread to new countries.

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

The Zika virus is usually relatively mild, with symptoms such as skin rash, fever, muscle and joint pain, lasting up to seven days.

-Try to book a hotel or lodging with air conditioning, or screens on windows and door.

Pregnant women have been warned not to travel to countries where the infection has been reported.

Public Health England said in a statement on its website the three people had presented with the virus after travelling to Colombia, Suriname and Guyana, all countries which are experiencing Zika outbreaks.

Three people have tested positive for Zika virus in NY, prompting the state Health Department to recommend caution when traveling, especially for pregnant women.

The babies are said to have unusually small heads. To combat the spread of the virus and investigate the connection between Zika and neurological syndromes, the CDC will be sending a team of officials to Brazil.

“For almost 30 years the mosquito has been transmitting these illnesses to our population and since then we’ve been fighting, but we are losing”, he was quoted as saying by Brazil’s G1 news site.