“We want to remind Canadians that there have been no confirmed cases of locally-acquired Zika virus through mosquitoes and that the overall risk in Canada remains very low”, according to the statement.
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The Zika virus, transmitted mainly through the bite of certain infected female mosquitoes, is spreading rapidly across many countries in the Americas, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which declared the outbreak a global health emergency.
It disclosed that altogether 55 Canadians have been confirmed positive with infection of Zika virus.
Those with a pregnant partner should use condoms for the duration of the pregnancy because Zika virus can persist for an extended period of time in the semen of infected males.
The ADH cautions travelers and women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to take steps to guard against Zika transmission.
Brazil’s outbreak of Zika – which has been linked to the devastating microcephaly birth defect in newborns – has topped 91,000 cases, health officials have said.
There have been 388 Zika cases reported in the United States, all of which have been contracted through travel.
There are around 474 cases of Zika in Puerto Rico that have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and that number is expected to rise, resulting in greater risk for transmission.
“As seasonal temperatures begin to rise in Europe, two species of Aedes mosquito which we know transmit the virus will begin to circulate”, said Kieny.
Up to 80 percent of people infected with the virus show no symptoms, while others have generally mild symptoms including fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis (red eyes) and headaches, health officials said.
Zika was first found in Africa and spread to Asia and Latin America.
A second case was confirmed earlier this month.
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The CDC is recommending pregnant women avoid traveling to Zika-affected areas which include countries ranging from Mexico into the Caribbean, Central American and South America.
