Second pregnant woman diagnosed with Zika in Australia

The medical community suspects that Zika can lead to devastating birth defects, most notably microcephaly, in which newborns have abnormally small heads and underdeveloped brains.

Planning is underway for a Zika virus tabletop exercise to ensure Ohio’s preparedness at the local and state levels prior to the 2016 mosquito season that runs from May to October. In addition, people who become ill during or after returning home from foreign travel should contact their health care provider and mention their recent travel.

Earlier this week, a pregnant woman in Queensland state was also diagnosed with Zika after traveling overseas.

The Zika virus has spread quickly through Latin America.

Possible symptoms of Zika include fever, rash, conjunctivitis and joint pain.

Last week the CDC issued its own detailed recommendations for preventing sexual transmission of the virus, including the suggestion that men who have traveled to Zika-affected regions consider abstaining from sex with their pregnant partner for the duration of the pregnancy.

The U.S. Olympic Committee is hiring two infectious disease specialists to counsel any Olympians who might have concerns about the Zika outbreak in Brazil. The money will go toward developing a better lab test to detect the virus, mosquito-control programs and to create a vaccine.

At an information session in Morristown Wednesday health officials presented the county board of Freeholders with facts about the mosquito-carried Zika Virus.

A USOC spokesman said Thursday it would be impossible to estimate how many Team USA athletes might be pregnant during any given Olympics. The Zika virus is spread through mosquito bites from Aedes aegypti and causes only a mild illness in most people.

“If they are going to these countries and they are pregnant they should consult their doctor and make a decision together with her doctor”, said the commissioner, Dr. Leana Wen.

The state Health Minister Jill Hennessy confirmed the case to reporters on Friday.

Castro said the deaths possibly illustrated “comorbidity” caused by the virus and complications it may have caused in the patients.