Zika virus has phones ringing at pest control, travel firms

Acting chief health officer Roscoe Taylor said pregnant women who had travelled in those areas who have symptoms of the Zika virus should see their doctor and be tested. As for women who plan to become pregnant in the future, Dr. Frieden says, “if this behaves like other viruses, infection with Zika before pregnancy would not have an impact on subsequent pregnancies”. Babies born with this rare condition, known as microcephaly, have abnormally small heads and brain abnormalities.

The deaths are reportedly the first in the country linked to the mosquito-borne virus. The CDC recently reported it found the virus in the placentas of two American women who experienced miscarriages after traveling to places where Zika is present.

None of those cases were transmitted through mosquito bites received anywhere in the continental USA, health officials say.

The Victorian woman is considered to be at risk because of the possible link between the virus and birth defects, including microcephaly.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus chiefly is transmitted by mosquito, but there have been reports of cases involving sexual transmission and blood transfusion. Second, Zika must be fought at its epicenter, which is the best way to limit its spread here. Two other patients past year also died from complications while they were infected with the virus.

“However, we are advising all people, but especially pregnant women, or women who may be trying or intending to get pregnant, to avoid travelling to those countries and places where there has been Zika outbreaks”.

“This isn’t just Brazil’s concern; it’s the world’s concern”, Castro said.

“I know the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil is of concern to many of you”, wrote USOC CEO Scott Blackmun in a letter sent to prospective Olympians. There is now no vaccine to prevent Zika or medicine to treat it. “This woman is pregnant”, she said.

Meanwhile, Zika symptoms are generally mild and can include a fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis.