Although there have been two reported cases of sexual transmission of the Zika virus, the risk of transmission in the United Kingdom is considered close to zero, MPs on the science and technology select committee heard.
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Announcing two confirmed cases in state residents recently returned from overseas, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy said Tuesday they “pose no threat to the public”.
The letter goes on to spell out much of the information that’s already been relayed by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Mario Tama/Getty ImagesSeven people in the United Kingdom have been infected with the Zika virus over the last three years, but four of those cases have been reported since January and the numbers are likely to rise, according to Public Health England.
The AP said the Oregon Health Authority said the woman had contracted the virus outside the US and has since recovered.
Some 220,000 soldiers will hand out leaflets door-to-door across Brazil on Saturday, ahead of a massive insecticide-spraying operation as the government tries to stem an outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus.
Castro said the ministry hopes to distribute tests soon that could be used to speed up diagnoses of patients with active symptoms of Zika, dengue and Chikungunya, another related viral infection.
“We don’t have any concerns about (transmission) happening in Yolo or Sacramento”, Weivoda said. The Zika virus, which is transmitted by mosquitos and is widespread in Brazil, has been linked to devastating birth defects and in recent weeks has been causing worldwide alarm after spreading beyond the Americas.
Dr. Alan Peterson, chairman of the Lancaster County Immunization Coalition, said people should play it safe, particularly given that Zika is generally a mild, flu-like virus and most people who contract it have no symptoms. The case study involved a fetus with an extremely abnormal brain – not only a fraction of the proper size but lacking the usual crinkly neural folds – whose mother suffered Zika symptoms at the end of the first trimester while she was living in Brazil. To prevent potential disease through sexual contact, CDC recommends men with a pregnant sex partner abstain from sexual activity or consistently and correctly use condoms during sex for the duration of the pregnancy.
Since the Zika epidemic first surfaced in Brazil last spring, the virus has spread to 30 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The virus is transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which does not live in OR or other northern locales. However, the CDC is concerned about the effect of the virus on pregnant women because it can cause birth defects.
Professor Adewole urged Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant and also to report any suspected case of an acute febrile illness in pregnant women, in particular, to any nearest health facility.
What should I do if I think I’ve been exposed?
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There is now no cure or vaccine for Zika. About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus will get sick. In the meantime, the CDC has issued travel guidance for women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant. As long as a female athlete isn’t pregnant at the time of her event (pretty unlikely!) and has no intention of getting pregnant immediately (and is using some form of birth control) there is nothing to worry about, Parada says.
