Posted: Feb 02, 2016 11:52 pm
Sexual transmission of Zika reported in Texas:
A person in Texas has become infected with the Zika virus after having sexual contact with an infected person returning from a country where the virus is present, the health department of Dallas County announced today.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the case to Medscape Medical News, saying "it is the first US case of Zika virus infection in a non-traveler in the continental US."
The CDC told Medscape Medical News that "there was no risk to a developing fetus" in the Texas case.
"Based on what we know now, the best way to avoid Zika virus infection is to prevent mosquito bites and to avoid exposure to semen from someone who has been exposed to Zika virus or has been ill from Zika virus infection," the CDC said. "We do not have definitive information on the infectious time period, and will provide more guidance for individuals and clinicians as we learn more.
"Sexual partners can protect themselves by using condoms to prevent spreading sexually transmitted infections. People who have Zika virus infection can protect others by preventing additional mosquito bites."