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US Investigates 14 New Zika Cases

The US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) says it is investigating 14 new reports of possible sexual transmission of the Zika virus. This includes several … Continue reading US Investigates 14 New Zika Cases


Zika

ZikaThe US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) says it is investigating 14 new reports of possible sexual transmission of the Zika virus. This includes several pregnant women.

The CDC made the revelation as it published new guidance on sexual transmission of the virus.

The guidance has been issued in response to confirmation of the first case of Zika in a non-traveller in the continental United States.

That case was linked to sexual contact with an infected partner.

The CDC is advising all men who have travelled to an area active with the Zika virus to use protection or abstain from intercourse for the length of the pregnancy.

The health body said that there is no evidence yet that women can transmit Zika virus to their partners, but more research is needed to understand this issue.

Zika is linked to the microcephaly birth defects in babies.

The primary method of infection of the virus remains mosquito bites. Experts said that women who are pregnant, should try to avoid the insects.

On Tuesday, Margaret Chan, the Head of the World Health Organization, said the world faced “a long journey” to defeat Zika.

Speaking in Brazil, where most cases had been recorded, she said it was a “very tricky, tenacious and difficult virus”.