While the Zika virus outbreak continues to spread throughout the Western Hemisphere, the first case was confirmed in China. Because the mosquito-borne virus has been linked with microcephaly, a serious birth defect, concerns are growing for pregnant women.
Before the current outbreak, the Zika virus had been reported previously in French Polynesia, the Pacific Islands and south Asia, according to ABC News. After the outbreak in South and Central Americas, the World Health Organization has called the Zika virus outbreak a "global health emergency."
According to the Associated Press, China confirmed the first Zika virus infection in a man who traveled to Venezuela. The 34-year-old man has returned through Hong Kong on Feb. 5 after traveling in Venezuela. The Chinese health authorities declared that there are low chances the Zika virus will spread in the area due to low mosquito activity.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to date, in the United States at least 66 people have been already diagnosed with the Zika virus. Washington, D.C., and other 19 states have confirmed cases of the Zika virus infection. Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Delaware reported their first cases on Tuesday. From the total of 66 cases of the Zika virus infection reported in the U.S., one case is believed to have been sexually transmitted and all the other cases were travel related.
The CDC explains that common symptoms of the Zika virus include conjunctivitis, joint pain, rash and fever. However, only around one in five people infected show symptoms. According to the CDC, severe complications from the virus are rare. What is of most concern is the fact that the Zika virus has been associated with a rise of microcephaly birth defect cases.
The mosquito-borne virus is transmitted mainly through the bite of the species of mosquito called Aedes aegypti, the same type of mosquito that spreads dengue fever. Another potential carrier identified is the Aedes albopictus mosquitoes species. Rare cases of transmission through sexual contact and blood transfusions were also reported by health officials.
