The mosquito-born Zika virus has been linked to microcephaly, a rare birth defect that sees babies born with unusually small heads and can cause lasting developmental problems.
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The World Health Organization has raised a global alert because the disease has affected about 23 countries in the Americas, especially in Latin America.
However, officials went on to say that there is much that isn’t known about the virus, and that out of an “abundance of caution” they would be monitoring any possible transmission.
How do I treat Zika?
More than one million people in Brazil were infected and now the disease has spread across South America, showing up in Colombia, Venezuela, El Salvador and nine other countries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Pregnant women, as well as women who wish to become pregnant and who are planning to travel to areas where the virus is circulating, should discuss their plans with a health professional”. The more serious ramifications are for infants: Birth defects have been reported in children born to women exposed to the virus.
Health Minister Jane Philpott said that all three people had contracted the disease while traveling overseas.
Symptoms including fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis can last from several days to weeks and there is no vaccine to prevent or treat an infection.
Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration said it was working to rapidly implement appropriate donor deferral measures for travellers who have visited affected regions in order to protect the blood supply.
There are up to 31 cases of the disease across 11 US states.
Most of those who get Zika show no symptoms, making it tough for pregnant women to know if it’s in their system.
“We are not in a period of activity for the Aedes mosquito, the vector of the virus, which falls between May and November”.
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He also urged the public to take similar precautions as what is being done for Dengue to protect themselves from the Zika virus.
