Montana has first case of Zika virus

While yet scientifically proven, it’s suspected that pregnant women infected with the Zika virus are giving birth to babies afflicted with microcephaly – that is, babies with unusually small heads who may suffer brain damage as a result.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it’s investigating 10 more reports of pregnant travelers with Zika.

While Zika has the potential to bring serious consequences, travel agencies have seen very few people change their travel plans.

The new information underscores the importance of following that advice, said CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden.

A pregnant woman from Los Angeles County has been infected with the Zika virus after traveling outside the area, public health officials confirmed late Friday. In that case, testing found evidence of Zika virus infection in the mother’s amniotic fluid.

It also encouraged pregnant women, and those trying to become pregnant, to talk to their health-care provider and follow the CDC’s steps to prevent mosquito bites if they are planning to attend the Games.

Consider not going to the Olympics. The two current pregnancies are continuing without known complications.

Scientists are working to confirm that the virus causes microcephaly, which has not been reported in other nations that have recently reported elevated Zika activity.

Four out of five people who contract the disease don’t feel any symptoms.

In both cases, the person was infected while traveling outside the country to an area of ongoing transmission, officials said. Two chose abortions, one after confirming brain abnormalities in her fetus by medical imaging at 20 weeks.

“According to the CDC website, there are 107 travel-associated Zika cases in the United States so far”, she continued.

“We are thinking that the virus could have been transmitted sexually”, Cordoba health chief Francisco Fortuna told Radio Continental, adding that the patient had contact with a man who recently traveled to Colombia.

One pregnant woman reported symptoms of Zika virus infection in the third trimester of pregnancy, and she delivered a healthy infant.

The CDC has identified many countries where there are known, active Zika virus transmission, but there’s two main areas that you want to pay attention to.

Many health experts are convinced that the link between Zika virus and birth defects is a reality but there is no conclusive proof yet, USA Today reports.