Chan said Brazil’s government is doing all it can to mobilise Brazilian society in fighting the “formidable” Aedes mosquito that transmits the virus that has spread rapidly through the Americas since previous year.
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After someone in Dallas contracted the virus in February by having sex with someone who’d travelled to an affected region, the CDC says 14 more possible cases have occurred, as per CNN.
So, how do you make sure you don’t get Zika or infect someone else – after all, 20% of cases are symptomless?
“Because of the possible association between Zika virus infections in pregnant women and certain birth defects, CDC recommends that pregnant women consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing”, ODH’s website states.
– Pregnant women and their male partners should discuss the man’s potential exposure to the Zika virus, as well as to Zika-like illnesses, with the pregnant woman’s care provider.
Sexual transmissions would represent a significant portion of U.S. Zika cases if all 14 are confirmed.
The CDC said at this time there is no evidence that women can transmit the virus to their sexual partners.
In all of the events, the travelers were men who had recently traveled to an area with local Zika virus transmission and reported symptoms within two weeks before the non-traveling female partner’s symptoms began.
“We were surprised, given the numbers actively being investigated”, said CDC Deputy Director Anne Schuchat. It is unknown how long the risk should be avoided.
It would take considerable research to understand how frequently Zika is spread through sex, given that four out of five people who are believed to be infected never develop symptoms, Dr. McQuiston said.
A list of areas with Zika virus transmission can be found on the CDC’s website and includes areas in the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, Pacific Islands and South America.
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But the reports the CDC has received-and expects to continue receiving as awareness grows-provide a chance to learn, because there is no mosquito-borne transmission in the U.S. “We have a unique opportunity here to see this route of transmission that is probably happening in other countries”, she said.
