Couples returning from countries affected by the mosquito-borne Zika virus should not try for a baby for a month, according to official advice. The federal government also will fund increased production of bug repellent, distributing it to lower-income women who are at risk of contracting the virus that’s suspected of causing birth defects.
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There are no vaccines or medications for Zika.
“All our decisions about vaccines are made on the basis of strict cost-effectiveness analysis”.
“Yesterday we were informed of a laboratory confirmed case of Zika in a pregnant woman who traveled to an area with an ongoing Zika transmission”, said Health Commissioner Bassett.
The Ministry has reported the case to the Directorate of Epidemiology and the National Health Institute in order to carry out an analysis.
The World Health Organisation has convened an emergency committee to discuss the “explosive” spread of the Zika virus, with one of its scientists estimating there there could be 3m-4m Zika infections in the Americas over the next year.
Citing patient confidentiality, Arruda declined to provide more details about the individual other than to say that the person has recovered fully.
Four Canadians have been confirmed as being infected with the Zika virus, Canada’s chief public health officer said here on Friday.
There are Aedes mosquitoes in the United States, so it is possible they could become infected and spread the virus. The outbreak in Brazil led to reports of Guillain-Barre syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes.
Almost half of Colombia’s Zika cases have been reported in the country’s Caribbean region, the bulletin said.
One WHO scientist said the Americas could see up to 4 million cases of Zika in the next year.
The Zika virus was first discovered in Africa in 1947, but until a year ago, when it was found in Brazil, it had never been a threat in the Western Hemisphere.
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Adults infected with Zika could have fever and a rash or conjunctivitis, but most people show no symptoms.
