USA advises abstinence, condom use to prevent Zika spread

“In addition, asymptomatic pregnant women who have traveled to Zika-affected areas should be tested for the Zika virus between 2-12 weeks post travel”. If the man lives in or has traveled to an active Zika area the couple may consider using condoms or abstaining from sex.

A woman who recently traveled to a South American country where Zika transmission has been documented is Rockland County’s first case, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Commissioner of Health Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert confirmed on Friday.

One of the problems with Zika is that symptoms only appear in about 20 per cent of people who have it. Consequently, the CDC is advising that people take special precautions after visiting an area where Zika is now making the rounds.

Transmitted by the bite of Aedes mosquito, Zika is strongly suspected of being the cause of many cases of microcephaly, a congenital malformation in infants whose mothers were infected during pregnancy. If he is showing symptoms, Public Health England says, his partner should avoid pregnancy for six months after his recovery.

The virus has since spread and been locally transmitted in more than 30 countries according to the World Health Organization, which has declared a global health emergency over Zika.

It said pregnant women in affected countries must also have access to counselling and technology to make informed choices, including whether to abort foetuses with microcephaly.

A ZIKA outbreak on the Sunshine Coast is unlikely because the species that carries the virus hasn’t been found this far south. Symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis which can last from two to seven days.

“We wish we knew more, we wish we could do more”.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stressed that the Zika (ZEE’-kuh) virus is still mainly spread by mosquitoes. The city will continue to monitor the potential spread of Zika in the capital and update the fact sheet as needed.

Franca said “it’s just a matter of time” before all Brazilian blood transfusions can be tested for Zika.