CDC sends Florida 950 kits to test for Zika virus antibodies

The findings “strengthen the biologic association” between Zika virus infection and microcephaly, experts at Harvard noted in an editorial accompanying the study. The World Health Organization declared an emergency over the cases last week, prompting research and aid to be fast-tracked.

And in Australia, a pregnant woman has tested positive for the Zika virus.

Officials said pregnant women are believed to be the most at risk for complications from the Zika virus because serious birth defects have been reported in infants born to women infected with the virus.

“We’re trying to understand how exactly the mosquito’s immune response works and then how the virus overcomes that immune system to be transmitted to a human host”, said Associate Professor Kevin Myles.

To protect women of child-bearing age in Zika-stricken countries, developing a vaccine will be important.

The virus has been linked to a birth defect in which babies are born with abnormally small heads.

According to the health department, the two confirmed cases were people who had recently traveled to countries affected by the ongoing outbreak of the disease.

Also on Wednesday, European researchers reported new findings on the impact Zika can have on an unborn baby.

No new cases of Zika infection have been reported in Florida since Monday, but more help is on the way from the federal government as requested by Gov. Rick Scott to prepare for the rapidly spreading virus that appears to pose the greatest threat to pregnant women and their unborn children.

Signs and symptoms of the Zika virus include fever, rash, headache, conjunctivitis and pain in the joints, muscles, and eyes.

The 45-year-old patient exhibited symptoms of the virus after returning to Dallas from Honduras.

Zika is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites, and health officials say there’s no indication that it can be spread through casual contact (though one US case was confirmed via sexual contact).

Men who have traveled to Zika-affected areas and have pregnant partners should abstain from sex or consistently and correctly use condoms for the duration of the pregnancy for all forms of sexual activity.

The discovery of viral particles and a high load of Zika virus RNA in the brain samples, coupled with the absence of other possible pathogens, and a complete viral genome present “strong evidence” of the Zika virus’ potential for causing birth defects, Avsic Zupanc said in an email.

Australian athletes and officials will be vaccinated against Yellow Fever, which, along with Dengue fever, is also prevalent in Brazil.

Rep. Curt Clawson, a Republican from Florida’s Gulf Coast, expressed concern that despite widespread publicity in recent weeks about Zika, not enough is being done to combat the virus.