On February 1, The World Health Organization declared a global emergency over the rapidly spreading Zika virus. The WHO was quoted as saying that it is an “extraordinary event” and that it poses a threat to the rest of the world. This statement was made after an emergency meeting was called because of the unusually high number of babies born with brain defects and small heads in Brazil since the virus was detected there last year.
The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne disease that usually does not result in serious illness. Researchers now suspect, however, that it is causing serious birth defects. The World Health Organization predicts that it will spread to all countries in the Americas. The past four months have seen 4,000 cases of the virus in Brazil alone.
Although there have been cases of the virus in Texas before now, Dallas Co. Health and Human Services is especially concerned with one case there. Dallas County Health and Human Services said the patient was infected after having sexual contact with an someone who apparently contracted the virus while in Venezuela. The person from Venezuela also has the virus.
“Now that we know Zika virus can be transmitted through sex, this increases our awareness campaign in educating the public about protecting themselves and others,” said Zachary Thompson, DCHHS director. “Next to abstinence, condoms are the best prevention method against any sexually-transmitted infections.”
The Center for Disease Control says that it does not have any valid information regarding the infectious time period but it will provide the public with guidance as it learns more about the virus. In the meantime, the CDC advises that those who are exhibiting symptoms, or those who have had sexual contact with someone who has symptoms, should seek immedicate medical care. The CDC also advises that these individuals should avoid getting any further mosquito bites and to that they should avoid any further unprotected sex.
For more information on the Dallas case, see below: