It is important to stay up to date on the latest health news and public health concerns. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared the Zika virus as a public health emergency of international concern.
As recently reported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. The outbreak in Brazil led to reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes.
The CDC recently released new safe sex guidelines for the Zika virus.
The virus continues to get stronger and CDC director Tom Frieden recently stated the priorities pertaining to the fight against Zika.
“The priority is protecting pregnant women,” Frieden told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta in an interview. “If you’re pregnant, and you’re thinking about traveling to a place were Zika is spreading, please don’t.
“If you live in an area where Zika is spreading and you’re pregnant, please protect yourself against mosquitoes. That’s the bottom line,” Frieden added.
Guidelines for pregnant women
“We know that four out of five people with Zika will have no symptoms,” Frieden stated. “So our new guidance says pregnant women without symptoms can be offered testing between two to 12 weeks after travel.”
“We heard that serial ultrasounds were very challenging to the health community, so we are now rolling out blood test kits,” Frieden added.
Also pertaining women who are thinking about getting pregnant, Frieden advised, “We wish we had a perfect test to determine if someone might be potentially infectious, but we don’t, so the tests we are rolling out are being prioritized for women who are currently pregnant.”
Guidelines for male sexual partners
“Men who live in or travel to areas of active Zika infections and who have a pregnant sexual partner should use latex condoms correctly, or refrain from sex until the pregnancy has come to term, or until a test is available to see if he could possibly infect her.”
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
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REFERENCES:
1. “Zika Virus.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 Jan. 2016. Web. 01 Feb. 2016.
2. “Zika-linked Condition: WHO Declares Global Emergency.” BBC News. BBC News, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2016.
3. “CDC Issues New Safe-sex Guidelines around Zika Virus.” CNN. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2016.
