The Zika virus has progressed in less than a year from a ho-hum blip on most Americans' radars to an ever-expanding threat no longer contained by any geographic or political borders.
Now, the American public is responding by demanding federal funding to try to stop the further spread of the virus that is making its way through Florida.
The latest: a new and alarming missive from the World Health Organization recommending those who have been diagnosed with the virus, as well as international business travelers and their sexual partners, follow safe sex guidelines for at least six months, tripling the previous ask of just two months.
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"Mounting evidence has shown that sexual transmission of Zika virus is possible and more common than previously assumed," the WHO said on Sept. 6. "This is of concern due to an association between Zika virus infection and adverse pregnancy and fetal outcomes, including microcephaly, neurological complications and Guillain-Barré syndrome. The current evidence base on Zika virus remains limited. This guidance will be reviewed and the recommendations updated as new evidence emerges."
WHO issued the following recommendations for those who have been exposed, may have been exposed, or are symptomatic. Among the major themes:
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Consistent use of condoms, or similar completely protective contraceptive methods, is crucial during sex.
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Abstinence is even better.
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Pregnant women should definitely practice safe sex or abstinence during the whole duration of the pregnancy.
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Those planning to get pregnant who travel to areas of high risk of the virus should wait six months before attempting a pregnancy.
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This news from WHO has led to heightened concerns through North America, Asia, and Europe over a mosquito-transmitted virus that was, until recently, thought to be a problem only to South America and Africa.
Yet the virus is rapidly spreading around the globe, behaving like a contagion in some areas where it had never been previously seen.
According to the the Strait Times in Singapore, since the first case there was reported Aug. 27, 239 more have been identified.
The Singapore experience is not unique. In nearby Malaysia, officials have been on "high alert," reports Belarus News, after a pregnant woman there was found to have the virus this week. Three other cases have since been reported, with more anticipated. Earlier this month, a Texas infant died from microcephaly after becoming infected with Zika while its pregnant mother traveled in Latin America.
WHO says many cases have occurred because international travelers have had sex with their partners after they themselves acquired the virus. Symptomatic females can transfer the virus to a male sexual partner.
The organization says new data shows the virus can live in semen for months. It has also been found in the tears of mice and in urine, although officials don't know whether either of those liquids are capable of infecting someone else.
The most common conditions that pregnant women with Zika can transmit to their children are microcephaly, neurological complications, and Guillain-Barre syndrome (which can lead to paralysis).
Even as the disease has become more common in Florida, leading to a public outcry for dollars to battle it, Congress has remained, as usual, behind the curve. NBC News says elected officials returned to the hallowed halls of legislative production this week, but "failed almost immediately to move a bill forward."
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Dan Cook
Dan Cook is a journalist and communications consultant based in Portland, OR. During his journalism career he has been a reporter and editor for a variety of media companies, including American Lawyer Media, BusinessWeek, Newhouse Newspapers, Knight-Ridder, Time Inc., and Reuters. He specializes in health care and insurance related coverage for BenefitsPRO.
