Rockland health officials said she contracted the virus there, not in NY, where it is too cold for mosquito activity.
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“I don’t know”, said Frieden.
Although symptoms are mild and pose little threat to the general population, babies born to infected women often suffer from impaired brain development that creates smaller-than-normal head size. Their advice is based on three cases of sexual transmission of the virus. Fifteen babies have died from the condition, with five linked to Zika. The second case, which is now being investigated, is in Dallas. A new set of interim guidelines was released, advising against sexual activity for some pregnant women. “If you’re pregnant, and you’re thinking about traveling to a place were Zika is spreading, please don’t”.
The Department of Health is actively consulting with healthcare providers across the commonwealth and is tracking test results for Pennsylvania residents who may have come into contact with Zika while traveling to the affected areas. “That’s the bottom line”. “These women should consult with their health care provider before they travel to areas with Zika virus transmission”.
“So our new guidance says pregnant women without symptoms can be offered testing between two to 12 weeks after travel”.
There is a blood test for the Zika virus.
The virus causes a greater impact on expectant mothers and women who want to get pregnant.
But it now warns that sexually active people who may be pregnant should take precautions.
While the alert is focused on pregnant women, the CDC is also making sure men who travel to Zika-prone areas are aware that they can pass it on by having sex with their partner.
Much remains unknown about Zika, including whether the virus actually causes microcephaly. “We’re rolling out test kits to distribute”.
The CDC is also adding recommendations to try and prevent sexual transmission.
If you think you have Zika, see your doctor immediately.
But there are things that people can do to lower their risk of contracting the virus, including rigorously protecting against mosquito bites, which are the usual mode of Zika transmission, and following the new guidelines to prevent sexual transmission, Frieden said.
The Zika virus has been found in the saliva and urine of two patients in Brazil, as reported by Firstpost.
As Zika’s impact continues to grow, health officials are still struggling to answer basic questions about how the virus works.
“We have no data to support urine or saliva”, transmission at this point, Frieden said.
They said this marked the first time the virus had been detected in either fluid. Plus, there has not yet been a confirmed case of a person in Texas contracting the virus from a mosquito.
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Zika was previously thought to only be transmitted by mosquitoes. “We take all reports seriously, but we need more information including the methodology of the study”. But it has become a concern because of a possible link with a birth defect in Brazil. There are no vaccines to protect against Zika virus.
