A total of nine pregnant travellers have been found in lab tests to have Zika infections, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, while reminding people to take precautions against mosquito bites and potential sexual transmission of the virus.
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Among two women with Zika virus infection who had symptoms during the second trimester of pregnancy, one apparently healthy infant has been born and one pregnancy is continuing. The CDC says two other women gave birth to healthy babies and two are still pregnant. But in Brazil, officials are investigating a possible link to babies born with unusually small heads, a rare birth defect called microcephaly that can signal underlying brain damage.
Pregnant women who recently traveled to areas where the Zika virus is being spread by mosquitoes are facing a dilemma – whether or not to get a blood test to check for the infection.
All 19 women live in the USA, but had recently traveled to Zika-affected areas, where the virus is being transmitted by mosquitoes.
“We did not expect to see these brain abnormalities in this small case series”, Dr. Denise J. Jamieson, a leader in the pregnancy and birth defects group of the CDC’s Zika Virus Response Team, told reporters in a phone briefing. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain and red, itchy eyes.
A mother cares for her baby who has microcephaly.
It appears that pregnant women in their first trimester are the most vulnerable.
Argentina’s health ministry previously reported eight cases of Zika throughout the country as of last week. CDC has a list of Zika symptoms on its website.
“If you or your partner are pregnant, use a condom for the duration of the pregnancy if you or your partner have traveled”, Shahab explained.
CDC officials have flagged up 30 high-risk destinations with travel alerts, warning pregnant women put off their trips to the regions.
None of the sexually transmitted cases are linked to those of confirmed virus in pregnant women. “However, U.S. residents travelling to areas with Zika should take steps to avoid mosquito bites as recommended by the CDC”.
“The link between microcephaly and Zika was clarified weeks ago, and we should no longer be asking ‘if, ‘ ” said Dr. Peter J. Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.
A Missoula woman has Montana’s first diagnosed case of the Zika virus.
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The CDC also warned against the sexual transmission of Zika if a male partner is traveling to Brazil.
