Share

Resident of Yolo County tests positive for Zika virus

Frieden also said that one USA case of Guillain-Barre syndrome may be linked to Zika. Women who have the disease while they are pregnant may deliver babies with microcephaly, a condition that causes babies to have small heads, small brains, and developmental delays.

Advertisement

Health officials said the patient has fully recovered since the case was reported in the past week.

Mosquitos carry the Zika virus.

Zika virus is mainly spread through two species of mosquitoes and is active in Central and South America, as well as the Pacific islands.

Infected mosquitoes remain the primary source of Zika virus transmission while other modes of transmission like sexual contact are being investigated.

Stressing that there is no danger to the public, Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division officials said a person in Oregon has been diagnosed with a travel-associated Zika virus infection. Zika virus has presented particular concern for women who are or plan to become pregnant and their babies, but the virus has the potential to make others ill as well. Still, four out of five people infected will have no symptoms or just mild symptoms.

The Zika virus was first discovered in Africa in 1947.

And because in rare instances the virus may be transmitted sexually, officials are advising men who have traveled to affected regions to take steps to prevent the spread of the virus, such as by using condoms.

Friday’s revelation coincides with a release from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), which detailed a number of cases which involved its officers contracting the disease while stationed in affected countries a year ago.

Common symptoms of the Zika virus include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis.

Last week, the World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency over the outbreak of Zika, which has now been reported in 20 countries, including Brazil.

Advertisement

“Sometimes it could be obvious fairly early on and sometimes it may not be obvious at all or there may be no impact”, Dr Taylor said about the risks to the pregnant woman’s child.

Mosquito_Tasmania_crop