Zika is most commonly passed on through the “Aedes aegypti” mosquito.
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The rare neurological disorder causes tingling, muscle weakness and temporary paralysis.
With Zika virus cases being reported from South America and the United States, the Centre today made a decision to constitute a technical group to monitor the situation even as it prepared to come out with an advisory soon.
Other states with confirmed cases of the Zika virus include Texas, Hawaii, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Arkansas, Virginia, California, and Minnesota.
The Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia each have had one Zika-related case since 2010.
DSHS recommends travelers avoid mosquito bites while overseas and for seven days after returning, in case they have been exposed to Zika virus.
Four Canadians have been infected with the Zika virus after traveling to affected countries, according to Canadian government health officials.
The Zika virus is actively being transmitted in the Caribbean, Central and South American countries, as well as Cape Verde in Africa and Samoa.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidelines Tuesday for pediatricians treating infants, whose mothers could have been exposed to the virus.
The virus has been linked to the devastating birth defect microcephaly, which prevents fetus’ brains from developing properly.
Official figures show 96 pregnant women are suspected of having contracted the virus, but so far none have had babies born with microcephaly. Luckily, the disease is not yet spreading locally in the country, according to a representative from the CDC.
The virus has been linked to a surge of serious birth defects.
Although the disease is mainly transmitted through mosquitoes, PHE said sexual transmission had been recorded in a “limited number of cases”.
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Amid concerns over the rapid spread of the Zika virus, Jamaica confirmed Saturday the virus had spread to its shores, and Colombia reported more than 2,000 pregnant women have been infected.
