Puerto Rico this week reported its first case of a pregnant woman with Zika and its first case of a man diagnosed with Zika who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can cause temporary paralysis.
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Although scientists have not proved that Zika causes either condition, Colombian Health Minister Alejandro Gaviria told journalists on Friday that “there is a causal connection between Zika, Guillain-Barre and the death of three Colombians, one in San Andres and another two in Turbo, Antioquia”.
US health officials issued guidelines Friday to prevent the sexual transmission of the Zika virus, telling men who have been to outbreak areas to use condoms during sex with pregnant women.
A report released by the INS indicated that “25,645 cases of the Zika disease were reported across the entire country” as of the fourth week of January.
About 1.5 million patients infected by the virus have been reported in Brazil, where 404 cases of microcephaly have been confirmed and 3,670 suspected cases are being examined.
Earlier this week, the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency after Brazilian authorities linked Zika to microcephaly.
A CHILD who first presented at hospital on Thursday night has been confirmed as the second case of the Zika virus in Queensland this year. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) wants people to understand the facts about the Zika virus.
In addition, U.N. officials also called on Catholic-majority nations in Latin America to loosen abortion laws for women who fear their fetus may be at risk for the rare birth defect. One woman gave birth in Hawaii to a child with microcephaly; officials said she likely contracted the virus while living in Brazil.
Both the US CDC and Fiocruz in Brazil said more research was needed on person-to-person transmission.
Paulo Gadelha says that the virus’s ability to infect other people through the two body fluids requires further study. The Department has also convened series of meetings to brief the stakeholders about Zika fever, its symptoms and consequences for affected people, especially pregnant women and newborns.
Meanwhile, Australia will give Pacific Island countries $500,000 to counter the spread of the virus. However, the mosquito that transmits Zika, namely Aedes aegypti, that also transmits the dengue virus, is widely prevalent in India. These include low-grade fever, joint pain, red eyes, rash and generalized symptoms such as muscle pain, physical weakness, lack of energy and headaches.
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The statement noted that “in situations where sexual violence is rampant and sexual and reproductive health services are unavailable, efforts to halt Zika crisis will not be enhanced by stopping women from getting pregnant”.
