Health officials in the United States have documented more than 30 Zika cases across 11 states and the District of Columbia – all in people who traveled to the outbreak-affected areas outside the country.
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Though the virus is thought to only be seriously harmful to pregnant women because of the effect it can have on fetuses, many are wondering: if the virus can harm unborn babies, can the Zika virus harm toddlers?
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff says her government has launched a nationwide operation to eliminate breeding areas for the mosquito that transmits the Zika virus, which researchers in have linked to a rare birth defect.
And many airlines are allowing passengers to change bookings to destinations in Central and South America as well as parts of the Caribbean amid concern over the Zika virus. But officials are studying whether some severe birth defects can be linked to an infection during pregnancy.
“The issue with Zika is related to an association actually that has been discovered in Brazil, of pregnant women who get infected probably in their first trimester”, said Dr. Arruda.
Dr Anthony Wilson from the Pirbright Institute explained that the mosquitoes that carry the virus would find it hard to survive in the UK.
Taylor told a news conference his agency is monitoring the situation as the virus spreads, particularly in South America.
It’s likely that the United States will face small outbreaks of Zika virus, but widespread transmission of the virus here is not expected, health officials said today.
The Zika virus is acquired through the bite of an infected mosquito and causes flu-like symptoms that last up to one week, but is rarely deadly.
“The risk to Ontarians is very low, as the mosquitoes known to transmit the virus are not established in Canada and are not well-suited to our climate”.
On Thursday, smaller rival JetBlue Airways Corp was hit by investor selling “on fears around exposure to Zika-affected areas” because more of its revenue comes from the region than peers, Credit Suisse analyst Julie Yates said in a research note.
“There is a need for greater awareness amongst community”, the health minister said.
Because there are now no vaccines or treatments for this virus, the only way to prevent infection is to avoid being bitten by infected mosquitos. A World Health Organization scientist estimated that there could be 3-4 million Zika infections in the Americas over the next year. Following major eradication efforts, it was declared free of the mosquito in 1958. El Salvador have already advised women against getting pregnant until 2018.
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Men who suffered symptoms of the Zika virus, including fever, rash and joint pain, should avoid having unprotected sex for six months, the healthcare body warned.
