Yolo County resident tests positive for Zika virus

A Yolo County resident who recently traveled outside of the United States has tested positive for the Zika virus, county officials said Wednesday.

Both Zika cases announced Tuesday involved women who traveled to outbreak-affected countries, according to state health officials.

About 20 percent of people infected with Zika will get sick. “It makes sense for women who are pregnant to think about whether they really need to travel to an area where this is circulating”.

The virus can also be transmitted sexually.

Further, unlike West Nile virus disease, which was carried by birds (the reservoir for the disease) and then to the mosquitos which acted as vectors, the Zika virus is only carried by human reservoirs.

As the Zika virus only stays in the bloodstream for about a week, it is still unsure how long it stays in semen. Common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, red-eye and joint pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The department said that although the Cook Islands is not associated with the current outbreak, cases have been previously reported there. There is as yet no vaccine or treatment for the disease.

But in Florida, where nine travel-associated cases of Zika were reported as of last week – compared to the two cases reported in California during the same time period – a health emergency has been declared.

As scientists race to find out more about the virus and its possible effects, 30 of the world’s leading scientific research institutions, journals and funders pledged to share for free all data and expertise on the virus as soon as they have it.

The CDC is planning studies to learn more about the connection between Zika and children born with these birth defects.

Even though no cases of Zika transmitted through mosquitos in the US have been documented, there is still a concern as warmer months approach and mosquitos travel – especially in the southern part of the country.

The preliminary evidence is that [some] babies who don’t have microcephaly may also have neurological lesions or birth defects that are not as obvious as microcephaly.

In testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee about her department’s budget request, Burwell said cases of the virus had occurred in travelers returning to the United States, and that there had been one case of sexual transmission in Dallas. In addition, 94.5% indicated they have had no cancellations for their Destination Wedding clients, and 93.3% said they had no cancellations for their Honeymoon clientele.

“If you plan on becoming pregnant or you’re a pregnant women travelling to Latin America or these countries that has the Zika virus, I would postpone that travel”, said Dr. Chris Gall at the Huronia Travel Clinic.