The Colombian government has said pregnant women with Zika are eligible to access much-restricted abortion services.
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In particular, pregnant women and women who are trying to become pregnant are being advised to avoid traveling to these areas, as Zika virus infections have been confirmed to cause fetal losses and microcephaly in newborns, a birth defect characterized by an abnormally small head and brain.
Among other European countries, the Netherlands has newly confirmed 10 Zika cases, Britain five, Italy and Portugal four, and Spain two.
The Zika virus is primarily transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, although scientists in Brazil said Friday that they found that the virus can be “active” in the saliva and urine of infected people, raising fears it could also be transmitted through bodily fluids.
In his address, Santos also said US medical investigators would soon arrive in his country to help probe the virus, which he said had most likely infected more than 25,600 Colombians. Santos said authorities in Colombia are working to control the population of mosquitoes via fumigation and elimination of stagnant water in order to curb the spread of the virus. The CDC is now advising pregnant women to delay travel to foreign countries where Zika is being transmitted.
Many women struggle to find abortion providers even when they meet strict legal requirements and illegal abortions are widespread.
Unreported cases and patients with no symptoms of infection could mean that there are between 80,000 and 100,000 current Zika infections in Colombia, the government has said.
He said based on verified information so far, the virus is from mosquitoes.
There is now no vaccine for Zika virus, nor a cure, but researchers are already beginning to discuss the topic in hopes to develop one quickly.
With US’s first case of Zika transmission being attributed to sex, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines asking men to abstain from sex with pregnant partners if there is risk of virus transmission.
Zika virus has been reported in travelers returning to the US from affected countries.
Australia will step up testing of the mosquito-borne Zika virus in Queensland as new cases of the infection were registered, Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick said Saturday.
“The Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites”.
The health body has declared a global emergency over the explosive spread of the Zika virus, which has been linked to a rapid increase in birth defects, particularly in South America.
Pregnant women are urged to reconsider their travel plans to countries with known outbreaks.
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Gadelha also stressed that the Aedes aegpyti mosquito, which also spreads dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever, remains the virus’ main vector and said the fight against the mosquito should be a top priority. Overall, 15 babies have been reported to have died from the condition and health officials in the country are investigating 3,670 suspected cases.
