The CDC has issued a new Zika warning for pregnant women. They are being advised to abstain from sexual relations or use condoms if the male partner has been to a place where the Zika virus is transmitting.
Right now that includes 26 countries in the Americas including Mexico and the Caribbean. This warning is to be observed for the entire pregnancy, since it is unclear how long the virus can survive in semen.
The new warning is in response to the discovery that the virus has been transmitted through sexual contact. Previously, it was thought the virus was only transmitted through a mosquito bite.
Experts say sexual transmission is still quite rare. Out of over one million Zika virus infections on record, there are only three reported cases of the virus being transmitted sexually.
Health officials are examining whether the virus can be transmitted through saliva, although there are no reports it being transmitted in that manner.
This new warning is in addition to the one issued earlier advising pregnant women to avoid travel to areas where the Zika virus is active.
The Zika virus is being linked to a birth defect known as microcephaly, where babies are born with severe brain damage and abnormally small heads. Four thousand babies have been born with the condition since spring, largely in Brazil. These children are born to mothers who contracted the Zika virus during pregnancy.
Others who contract the virus usually recover without incident. The number of documented cases in the months-old outbreak is 1.5 million, but health officials say the number of actual cases is likely much higher.
Eighty percent of people infected with the virus have no symptoms and recover within days. Those who do experience symptoms complain of mild fever, red eyes, joint pain and rash.
As the weather becomes warmer in the United States, health officials predict the Zika virus will spread and will lead to pockets of outbreaks. However, many predict the outbreaks will be far smaller than the affected areas currently experiencing them. This is due to the fact that mosquito populations are controlled far more effectively in the United States.
Many people use air conditioning or screen to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes. Also many municipalities spray for mosquitoes. Also more people are inclined to use insect repellant on their bodies. Individuals are being advised to plan ahead against mosquito breeding grounds.
The type of mosquito that spreads the Zika virus can breed in very small amounts of standing water, even as small as what a bottle cap holds! Therefore, avoid any standing water in your yard or house, such as wading pools, even dishes in the sink.
There is a blood test for the Zika virus. Pro-life advocates are concerned that pregnant women who test positive for the virus will have abortions, even though not all women who get the virus will deliver babies with microcephaly.