Canada Journal – News of the World Articles and videos to bring you the biggest Canadian news stories from across the country every day
Saskatchewan health officials are investigating a possible case of Zika infection that may have been transmitted through sexual activity, one of the province’s top health officials says.
The province’s Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Denise Werker, says they are investigating an incident where a woman had sexual contact with another person diagnosed with a Zika virus after travelling to an affected country.
If it is confirmed, it would be the first case of the sexual transmission of the virus in Canada.
Werker warns people traveling to affected countries to wear bug spray and use protection when sexual active for at least six months upon return.
Also on Thursday, Health Canada said 33 travel-related cases of Zika virus have so far been reported in Canada.
The Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne disease, which is transmitted by some species of Aedes mosquito, particularly Aedes aegypti. These mosquitoes bite in the day, particularly around dawn and dusk.
Most people who get infected with Zika virus do not show any symptoms. Only one in five people who get it will feel sick, usually for a few days. In some cases, Zika infection can cause fever, rash, severe headache, joint pain, and muscle or bone pain. Illness from Zika is usually not severe and does not require hospitalisation.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent Zika virus and no specific treatment.
Recent outbreaks in Brazil and French Polynesia have raised concerns that there is a possible association between infection with Zika virus in pregnant women and certain birth defects (including microcephaly, a severe birth defect in newborn babies). The causal link is not yet scientifically proven.
There are also concerns that in rare instances Zika infection can lead to Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a serious immune system disorder.
Agencies/Canadajournal
