There is another test that looks for evidence that the body is fighting a virus in the family of viruses that includes Zika.
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In other Zika-related news, the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil is still considered as the main reason to postpone the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro on August 5.
Further, in light of the newly reported New York City case of transmission, the CDC is now extending these recommendations to both male and female sex partners of pregnant women, even though no case of woman-to-woman Zika transmission has yet been reported.
Up to 94 million people, including 1.6 million pregnant women in the Americas are at risk of infection from the Zika virus, scientific modelling has revealed.
The World Health Organization has said there is strong scientific consensus that Zika can also cause Guillain-Barré, a rare neurological syndrome that causes temporary paralysis in adults. Those anxious they may have contracted the virus should see their doctor or health provider immediately.
Zika virus is spread by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describe as “aggressive daytime biters” that can also bite at night. Zika usually only stays in blood for about a week but it seems to last longer in pregnant women.
Colombia has been closely watched because it has had the most Zika infections of any country besides Brazil, considered the epicenter of the outbreak.
Authorities there have confirmed more than 1,000 cases of microcephaly blamed on Zika.
Spain has recorded its first case of a baby born with the microcephaly birth defect associated to the Zika virus, health authorities said today.
Florida health officials say they’re investigating a second possible case of locally transmitted Zika infection.
Physician Felix Castillo said the baby was born with a small head circumference typical of Zika and that it was “stable and has not required any specific resuscitation”, according to The Local. One of the confirmed cases in Polk County originated through sexual contact, the state of Florida reported. CDC recommends all pregnant women who travel to Zika-affected areas be tested at 2 to 12 weeks upon their return, whether they are sick or not.
Women who do not want to or are not planning to become pregnant should talk with their health care providers about the many kinds of contraception available to prevent unintended pregnancy.
The surge in birth defects has been much more noticeable in Brazil, the country hardest hit by Zika.
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The virus typically spreads from men to women. The researchers also drew on data from prior outbreaks of similar mosquito-borne infections such as dengue.
