South Korea confirms first case of Zika virus

State officials said they would deploy traps in 1,000 locations per month to collect 60,000 mosquitoes per month to be tested for Zika at an Albany lab. Although the Aedes aegypti mosquitos that spread the virus in South America are not found in NY, a related species called Aedes albopictus is active downstate and could potentially carry Zika, health officials said.

A 67-year-old man who has never travelled overseas has been confirmed as Bangladesh’s first ever case of Zika virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the Zika patient was in Brazil between February 17 and March 9, returning to Gwangyang on March 11, after a brief layover in Germany. The United Nations health agency, however, estimated that at least some of the projects will move into clinical trials before the end of this year, but several years may be needed before a fully tested and licensed vaccine is ready for use.

The virus, which has a incubation period of as long as two weeks, is particularly risky for pregnant women as it is thought to be linked to a rare birth defect – microcephaly that causes newborn babies to have unusually small heads and damaged brains.

Zika and other viruses are associated with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. “We now know that sexual transmission of the virus occurs”, Chan said.

Zika is primarily spread by mosquito bite, and is not spread through casual contact like hugging, kissing, shaking hands, sharing utensils, etc. It can also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her baby during pregnancy.

World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan says the knowledge base around Zika virus needs to build quickly.

NY will also distribute free “Zika protection kits” to pregnant women in regions where the virus might spread, the statement said. Health officials said they expect that information to be released some time Tuesday.

A second case of Zika virus has been confirmed in Fort Bend County. Most people who catch Zika only experience mild symptoms like fever, skin rash and muscle pain.

The Washington Post map showing most vulnerable cities for a Zika outbreak this summer.

The Bangladesh Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research tested blood samples from 101 patients previously thought to have dengue or other viral fevers, to see if any had been infected with Zika.