While that might offer some comfort, there is justifiable concern – especially for pregnant women.
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Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazilian researchers said Monday that the discovery of Zika in the brains of babies with microcephaly adds to growing evidence of a link between the mosquito-transmitted virus and the birth defect.
Aedes mosquito is the vector responsible for a the Zika virus. But if an adult male infected with the virus has unprotected sex with a woman, leading to a pregnancy, that child is potentially at risk of microcephaly. The spread of the virus has coincided with an apparent surge in cases of microcephaly, a disease among babies born with abnormally small heads, and related hearing and sight impairments, as well as possible learning disabilities.
Authorities have confirmed three deaths in Brazil linked to the Zika virus, with the victims reportedly already weakened by other ailments.
The mystery surrounding the virus – officials aren’t sure what will turn up next – makes it “much more insidious, cunning and evil” than Ebola, said Bruce Aylward, a World Health Organization official who helped coordinate the organization’s Ebola response and is now leading the Zika effort.
The government is seeking to implement a controversial reproductive health law and the state is promoting the use of contraceptives. “We will undoubtedly see many travelers returning to the United States of America with Zika”, Frieden said. The patient recently traveled to El Salvador.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re not pregnant: about one in five bitten by a Zika-infected mosquito, will develop the disease, and the symptoms will likely be mild: fever, rash, joint pain and/or red eyes.
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Though most people infected with the virus do not manifest any signs of infection, pregnant women and those who plan to get pregnant should report if they experience any discomfort.
