USA expands travel warning for pregnant women over Zika virus

The New York Times also reported Friday the virus could be the cause of a rare syndrome surging in Brazil, which leaves patients nearly “completely paralyzed” for weeks. Some 90% of these cases have been recorded in Brazil’s northeastern states, where the country’s Zika outbreak – the largest on record – is most pervasive.

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — The U.S. Virgin Islands is reporting its first case of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. A person beaten by a mosquito that carries the Zika virus would experience fever, rashes, joint pains and red eyes. Epidemiologist, Elizabeth Schiffman says travelers should know about it. “It’s something that people should be aware of because it can make you sick, even if you are only mildly ill”. There was no chance a mosquito could have bitten them and spread it to others. These include Colombia, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Venezuela and Puerto Rico. El Salvador is advising women not to get pregnant for he next two years. During the a year ago, around 4,000 cases of Zika were reported by the Brazilian authorities.

According to Dr Amnuay, Thailand’s first case of the Zika virus was confirmed in 2012.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is widening its travel alerts for countries affected by the mosquito-borne illness called Zika virus.

Immunology expert Jean Peron, who is experimenting on pregnant mice, said: ‘This is a significant advance, but we still can not scientifically state that Zika is the cause of microcephaly’. Moreover, the pregnant women should avoid traveling to over a dozen countries in the Caribbean and Latin America due to the single-stranded RNA virus.

The link between Zika and microcephaly, the condition where a baby’s brain and head don’t fully develop, still hasn’t been proved definitely.

Women trying to become pregnant should consult with their healthcare professional before traveling to these areas and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during the trip. “Wear long sleeves, wear long trousers, use insect repellant, insect repellant with DEET”.

A warning recently went out for pregnant women to stay away from certain countries because of a virus outbreak.