THE first case of the Zika virus to be passed on through sex has emerged, sparking fears the outbreak could spread across the world to places where mosquitos aren’t even found.
Officials in Texas have reported a rare case of the Zika virus was sexually transmitted rather than by a mosquito bite.
The patient, from Dallas, had not travelled to the area with a Zika virus outbreak and public health officials say the infection happened after the patient had sex with their partner who had returned from Venezuela.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said: "Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) has received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the first Zika virus case acquired through sexual transmission in Dallas County in 2016.”
Mexico: Precautions are taken in the country
Dallas County Health and Human Services director Zachary Thompson said: “Next to abstinence, condoms are the best prevention method against any sexually transmitted infections."
The American Red Cross has meanwhile urged potential blood donors returning from countries with Zika to wait at least 28 days before donating their blood.
The virus has been previously linked to intercourse
Zika in Mexico: A woman covers her mouth
The first known case occurred when scientists found high levels of the virus in the semen of a 44-year-old man from French Polynesia.
While his blood and urine were clear, traces were found in his semen.
The second case happened in 2008 when Dr Brian D Foy, a disease expert at Colorado State University, came down with the virus after travelling to Senegal and collecting mosquitoes for a study. Both he and a colleague fell ill when he returned to the US.
In a strange twist, his wife also displayed Zika virus-like symptoms. Both Dr Foy, his wife and his colleague tested negative for malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever.
It was only after a fellow scientists recommended they get re-tested that they discovered it was in fact the Zika virus.
Neither passed the disease to their kids or close family, so the couple believe it could have been sexually transmitted
In a strange twist, his wife also displayed Zika virus-like symptoms. Both Dr Foy, his wife and his colleague tested negative for malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever.
It was only after a fellow scientists recommended they get re-tested that they discovered it was in fact the Zika virus.
Neither passed the disease to their kids or close family, so the couple believe it could have been sexually transmitted
Comments
Post a Comment