A sixth case of the Zika virus has been confirmed in Houston, according to the City of Houston Health Department. The person is a woman, between the ages of 60 and 64, who traveled to El Salvador in November 2015.
The other confirmed cases are:
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- Woman, age 45-50, traveled to Guatemala
- Woman, age 60-64, traveled to Colombia
- Man, age 35-39, traveled to Honduras
- Woman, age 40-45, traveled to Honduras
- Girl, age 0 -10, traveled to Honduras
The Zika virus is a disease spread primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito, Aedes mosquitoes. These are the same mosquitoes that spread other viruses like dengue and chikungunya.
Zika causes mild illness in some, only about one in five people infected with the Zika virus will feel sick. In those that do, symptoms are usually mild and can include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes (conjunctivitis). Though Zika is primarily a mosquito-borne virus, spread of the virus through sexual contact has also been reported. If individuals have traveled to Zika-infected areas and suspect they have become infected with the virus, we recommend they use safe-sex practices and notify their healthcare provider for further evaluation.
WHO estimates there could be up to 4 million cases of Zika in the Americas in the next year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel alert for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. CDC recommends special precautions for the following groups:
- Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who must travel to one of these areas should talk to their doctor or other healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip.
- Women trying to become pregnant or who are thinking about becoming pregnant should consult with their healthcare provider before traveling to these areas and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during the trip.
"It is important to understand, there are several measures pregnant women can take," WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said. "If you can delay travel and it does not affect your other family commitments, it is something they can consider.
Officials said those who need to travel can get advice from their physician and take personal protective measures, like wearing long sleeves and shirts and pants and use mosquito repellent.
Officials are discouraging travel to 22 infected areas, including Puerto Rico, for pregnant women and women off birth control, a warning which may last a couple years.