Zika Virus Infection in Texas (USA) (Update)
13 Dec 2016
As of 9 December 2016 the Texas Department of State Health Services
has identified four additional cases of suspected locally acquired Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in Cameron County. These cases where identified during the follow up to the states first locally acquired ZIKV case reported on 28 November 2016.
All four additional cases live in close proximity to the first case, none are pregnant women and all reported ZIKV symptoms between 29 November to 1 December 2016. These ZIKV infections were therefore likely to have been acquired in local area before mosquito control efforts intensified in that part of Brownsville.
Testing of people living in an eight-block area around the homes of the identified cases continues and has not yet shown any additional evidence of ZIKV transmission in the rest of that larger area.
Please refer to the Health Protection Scotland ZIKV transmission table to determine the current risk category of any given country/territory/area:
Advice for Travellers
ZIKV is most commonly spread by mosquito bites, but there is also a risk of sexual transmission. There is a link between ZIKV infection and babies being born with birth defects.
- All travellers should practice strict mosquito bite avoidance, at all times.
- All travellers should have adequate travel insurance.
- Always refer to current advice on the ZIKV Infection page, which includes how to avoid sexual transmission of ZIKV.
- Pregnant women should postpone non-essential travel to countries or areas with High risk of ZIKV transmission.
- Pregnant women should consider postponing non-essential travel to countries or areas with Moderate risk of ZIKV transmission.
- Travellers that develop any feverish illness whilst travelling or on return should seek medical attention quickly.
- An individual risk assessment is advisable for pregnant women travelling to low risk areas.