Case of sexual transmission of Zika Virus reported in the US

Texas: The Dallas County in Texas has reported a case where a person has been infected with the Zika Virus after having sexual contact with a partner who had returned from one of the countries where the virus is prominent.

This is one of the rare cases coming forward, and it currently putting to test Scientists belief of the mode of transmission of the virus. Uptil now, it was believed that the virus is only transmittable through mosquito bites.

The CDC has confirmed the case to newspapers in the US, that this has been the first case in the US where a non-traveller has been infected with Zika Virus.

"Based on what we know now, the best way to avoid Zika virus infection is to prevent mosquito bites and to avoid exposure to semen from someone who has been exposed to Zika virus or has been ill from Zika virus infection," the CDC told Medscape. "We do not have definitive information on the infectious time period, and will provide more guidance for individuals and clinicians as we learn more."

"Sexual partners can protect themselves by using condoms to prevent spreading sexually transmitted infections. People who have Zika virus infection can protect others by preventing additional mosquito bites", it added

A statement issued by the CDC said the best way to avoid Zika virus infection was "to prevent mosquito bites and to avoid exposure to semen from someone who has been exposed to Zika".

In view of the mosquito transmission, US had earlier issued travelling alerts to 22 countries where the virus has been found prominent. With sexual transmission case coming out to be positive, tthen it poses a risk to every country not just those with the Aedes mosquito, reported BBC. It would mean fresh alerts for India, where the main carrier of the disease  Aedes mosquito is found in abundance.