So far, there have been no confirmed cases of a Zika infection from a mosquito bite in the United States, although officials expect mosquitoes will start spreading it in Southern states, which begs the question, “Can domesticated animals, like cats and dogs, catch or carry the virus?”
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Laboratory results confirm the first travel-associated case of Zika in the Brazos County; health authorities have been and continue to investigate the presence of Zika transmitting mosquitoes in the area.
It also can be sexually transmitted by infected males, so DE health officials are urging men who have been diagnosed with Zika or have symptoms of the virus to use condoms for at least six months after symptoms first appeared.
All travelers to areas where Zika virus is active should be aware and take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites (e.g., wear long sleeves and trousers, use EPA-approved insect repellant, etc.).
In Texas so far, there have been around 70 travel related cases of Zika, but locally, there has been no transmission.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison recently found that Zika stays in the blood of some pregnant monkeys for 30 to 70 days, but only one week in others.
As Zika can also be transmitted through sexual activity with an infected male partner, pregnant women and women who could be pregnant should be sure to use a condom when having sex with a male partner who may be infected with Zika.
Officials say there is no evidence of Zika-infected mosquitoes in the county at this time. The CDC also called on pregnant women to practice abstinence from sex if their sexual partners, male or female, have gone to an area where the Zika virus is prevalent.
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“Expanding the use of the Zika-specific test could provide more women with Zika virus infection a definite diagnosis and help direct medical evaluation and care”, the CDC said. Reducing the number of places where mosquitoes lay eggs-containers of standing water-can lower the risk of exposure.
