The CDC specifically advised women who are pregnant in any trimester and those who are trying to become pregnant to consider postponing travel to any of these areas aforementioned.
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The number of countries and territories in the Americas reporting cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus rose to 22 on Tuesday, more than double the number a month ago, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Zika outbreaks have also been reported in Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Suriname and Venezuela, among others.
The virus is feared to be connected to a birth disorder, microcephaly, that results in babies being born with severely undersized heads, causing serious development issues and even death.
A Zika virus case was also confirmed in Sweden last summer, said Sara Rorbecker of the Swedish Public Health Agency.
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) said the health of its team was “paramount”. Although there is now no vaccine or treatment for the virus, the CDC recommended extra close monitoring of ultrasounds to check for birth defects, namely deformed heads, a sign of microcephaly.
In new interim guidelines, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention told heath care providers in the United States to work closely with mothers to track down babies possibly suffering from the rapidly spreading virus. Few weeks after coming back to Colorado both of them got sick and few days later Foy’s wife showed the same symptoms. No transmission of Zika virus infection has occurred in California or any other USA state but the virus has always been present in Africa and Asia, and it’s caused alarm after appearing past year in Brazil, where it’s suspected of causing birth defects.
Its symptoms are mild and include a fever, rash, joint pain and red, itchy eyes.
After Ebola and Swine Flu, the new outbreak of Zika Virus is scaring the world. Overall, Zika virus is most unsafe for pregnant women as the child can potentially be infected in the womb. So what is the Zika virus and what steps can you take to protect yourself?
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But Zika is not expected to pose a threat in colder countries since they are not warm enough for the virus-carrying Aedes mosquito to breed.
