Florida officials confirms first Zika virus sexually transmitted case in 2017

The first Zika Virus Sexually Transmitted case of this year has been confirmed in Pinellas County, Florida, CBS News reported and The Florida Department of Health made a statement on Tuesday.

Aside from that, the Health officials stressed that there is no evidence that mosquitoes are transmitting Zika anywhere in the state. The health officials of the southeasternmost U.S. state have announced that the total number of Zika viruses in Florida this year is up to 118.

Understanding Zika virus

The so called "Zika virus" is a member of the virus family Flaviviridae. The name comes from the Zika Forest of Uganda, where the infection was first isolated in 1947.

The virus is transmitted to people essentially through the bite of an infected and active Aedes species mosquitoes such as Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. These are the same insects that carry and spread dengue, as well as chikungunya viruses.

Zika virus can also be transmitted from mother to child. Yes, a pregnant woman can transfer the virus to her fetus during pregnancy.

Aside from that, the virus can also be passed through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her partner. Even if the infected person does not have any symptoms at that current time, the bug can still be passed to the other person.

Symptoms of Zika virus

"It is important to remember Zika can also be transmitted sexually and to take precautions if you or your partner traveled to an area where Zika is active," health officials said in a statement.

If an organization already identifies an area where ongoing transmission of Zika is taking place, it is important to avoid going there or contacting people who reside there.

Initial symptoms of the virus include fever, rash, joint pain, vomiting, conjunctivitis, or red eyes. It is also possible for a person to feel muscle pain, headache, pain in the eyes

A person infected with Zika is rarely severe enough to guarantee hospitalization. Also, it is uncommon for an individual to die because of the infection. However, complications of the virus can be devastating and overwhelming, especially if a mother contracts the virus while she is carrying the baby.

Zika virus in Florida

The name and gender of the person infected with the virus have not been disclosed. However, some information has already been revealed.

According to Florida health officials, the infected resident's partner recently traveled to Cuba and was unwell with symptoms consistent with Zika virus. They also mentioned that both individuals were already tested positive for Zika.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDCP has previously confirmed cases of the Zika virus that were sexually transmitted. Most of Florida's 118 Zika cases this year have been associated with travel outside of the United States. However, the only local cases confirmed this year all were associated with exposure to the virus last year.