Zika ‘sexually transmitted’ in first U.S. mainland case

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and other public health authorities are alarmed about the Zika virus because it is suspected of causing a birth defect called microcephaly through mother-to-child transmission.

The Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is also known to carry the dengue, yellow fever and Chikungunya viruses.

Before this case in Texas, a researcher who was infected with Zika virus in Senegal in 2008 returned home to Colorado, and is believed to have infected his wife through sexual transmission, according to paper in the CDC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases journal.

“Although it is possible that persons travelling overseas may contract the virus and return to Canada, the Zika virus does not present a significant public health risk to Canadians”, Taylor said at a media briefing about the virus that’s rapidly spreading through Latin America.

She also said: “In another case, Zika virus was found in semen two weeks after a man had Zika virus infection”. Health officials across the country are urging expectant mothers not to travel to Central America, South America, or the Caribbean because of the risk of a serious birth defect.

They both have a history of travel to a Zika affected country.

The virus, which one World Health Organization official said was spreading at an “explosive” rate, has been confirmed in several states since the outbreak of the illness.

The US has confirmed the first case of Zika contracted through sexual transmission in Dallas this evening. Spread mostly by mosquitoes, the virus has been linked to microcephaly, a condition where babies are born with abnormally small heads and developmental delays.

The CDC said it will issue guidance in the coming days on prevention of sexual transmission of Zika virus, focusing on the male sexual partners of women who are or may be pregnant.

Zika virus is transmitted to people by mosquitoes and through sexual activity.

About one in five people infected with Zika virus will develop symptoms, which include fever, rash, joint pain, and pink eye.

Marlene Gaither, Program Manager Environmental Health, suggest that travelers to the infected regions protect themselves from bites.