What travelers need to know about the Zika virus

“What they’ve found is that the Zika virus is present in babies that are born with microcephaly, which is an abnormally small head or other brain malfunctions”. Doctors can face fines of up to 2 million won ($1,654) for failing to report patients infected or showing symptoms of infection.

WHO will convene an emergency committee meeting to discuss the Zika virus next Monday to ascertain whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of worldwide concern.

The health department also said that there have been no locally-transmitted Zika cases reported in Georgia or anywhere in the US, but cases have been reported in returning travelers.

The people being tested in SC are having that done due to their recent travel history.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Jan 29 (Reuters) – Four Canadians have been infected with the Zika virus from traveling to affected countries, government health officials said on Friday, one more than Health Minister Jane Philpott reported a day earlier.

Read the Health Canada Guide to Insect Bite Prevention here.

Tam notes the risk of sexual transmission of Zika is considered low, but adds more information is needed.

Taylor says women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consult a health-care practitioner before travelling to a region where the virus is circulating. “If you are pregnant you should try to limit your travel to those areas”.

It causes mild fever, rash, muscle pain, joint pain, headache, pain behind the eyes and conjunctivitis.

According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recorded the most number of Zika virus cases in the Americas and Africa.

The mosquito-borne disease has been linked to thousands of severe birth defects in Brazil.

Like dengue, Zika is passed from one mosquito to another.

Now, officials are urging people to hold-off on travel plans overseas – and take extra steps to protect themselves. “It is an aggressive mosquito that carries this vitreous virus”.