First case of sexually transmitted Zika virus seen in France

There have been nine confirmed cases of pregnant women with Zika infections in the us, and the virus has spread to more than 30 countries since its first cases in Brazil last May. Another two according of the CDC gave birth to healthy babies, while two others are still pregnant.

While yet scientifically proven, it’s suspected that pregnant women infected with the Zika virus are giving birth to babies afflicted with microcephaly – that is, babies with unusually small heads who may suffer brain damage as a result.

One of the women who had an abortion was in her 30s and had contracted the virus during her first trimester while traveling to a Zika-affected area, the agency said.

The advisory also raised the possibility of sexual transmission in a pregnant woman’s male partner going to the Olympics, recommending the use of condoms or foregoing sexual intercourse altogether during the course of the pregnancy.

“Microcephaly can be caused by other causes”, Dr. Chan said.

Denmark, Germany and Britain have all reported cases of the disease in tourists who have returned from affected areas – including Brazil, Barbados, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana and Mexico.

The United States now has 147 confirmed cases of Zika virus, excluding 117 diagnosed cases in Puerto Rico. Most others typically have mild symptoms, such as fever, joint soreness, rash or red eyes.

World Health Organization estimates there could be up to 4 million cases of Zika in the Americas in the next year, but no recommendations were made to restrict travel or trade.

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts on Friday called for better coordination among agencies handling the spread of the Zika virus to ensure “the best science-based solutions are available” to prevent the spread of the mosquitoes carrying the disease.

But a case report published this week in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases suggests that Zika may cause even greater harm than previously suggested.

Kansas mother Gwen Hartley, who has two daughters with microcephaly, said she initially struggled when she learned about her daughters’ diagnosis, but today she believes they are a huge blessing to her family. An estimated 80 percent of people infected have no symptoms, making it hard for pregnant women to know if they have been infected. An infected pregnant woman can pass the virus to her baby. The baby shows no signs of the health problems linked to Zika virus infection. The specific mosquito species known to transmit the virus is not found in northern states, nor are there any confirmed cases of non-travel acquired, mosquito-borne cases in the U.S.