But the virus can also cause severe birth defects, including babies born with abnormally small heads, or a rare syndrome that can cause death or temporary paralysis.
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NMDOH reported Wednesday a 40-year-old Bernalillo County woman contracted the virus while traveling in the Caribbean, but has since recovered.
There was reportedly one incident where a 46-year old man returned to Paris from Rio de Janeiro on February experienced the Zika symptoms in Brazil like fever, headache and a rash.
Earlier this month, US health officials reported that the number of pregnant women in the United States infected with the Zika virus had tripled because cases were now being counted in a more comprehensive way.
U.S. cyclist Tejay Van Garderen withdrew his name from consideration for the United States of America road cycling team yesterday citing the Zika virus, Van Garderen has a pregnant wife at home and was bnot willing to take the risk.
A public letter was issued last week signed by 150 public health experts and scientists calling for the Olympics to be delayed or moved over fears that the Games could speed up the global spread of the Zika virus.
Among the 17 infected are four women, though none was pregnant, said Dr. Jose Sanchez, deputy chief of Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch.
The virus can also be transmitted via unprotected sex with an infected man. The virus showed presence in the woman’s urine and saliva, antibodies to the virus inner blood but her vaginal swab came out negative.
No vaccine exists to prevent or treat the Zika virus, and there is a lot that doctors don’t yet know about a mother’s Zika virus infection and the connection to her baby. It mentioned that the woman fell sick shortly afterwards, and both of them were tested for Zika.
Organising committee chief Carlos Nuzman says, “This is no public health risk” that would warrant postponing or moving the games while Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal and members of the USA basketball team had no reservations about participating in the Games.
Steve Penny, the president of USA Gymnastics says officials have been keeping an eye on the Zika advisories and information coming from the International Olympic Committee and the U.S. Olympic Committee and will support any decisions the athletes make.
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This Q&A will tell you what you need to know about Zika.
