The Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Tuesday it is investigating 14 new reports of the Zika virus in the United States, possibly transmitted through sexual contact.
The CDC said several of the cases involved pregnant women. In all of the events, the travelers were men who had recently traveled to an area with local Zika virus transmission and reported symptoms within two weeks before the non-traveling female partner's symptoms began. These cases show the virus was possibly transmitted through sex from a man to his sexual partner.
The CDC said at this time there is no evidence that women can transmit the virus to their sexual partners. However, the CDC said more research needs to be completed to understand the issue.
“Because these new reports suggest that the sexual transmission of Zika virus may be more likely than previously considered, it’s even more important that travelers to Zika virus-affected countries take precautions,” said ODH Medical Director Dr. Mary DiOrio.
The CDC recommended the following for pregnant women and men with pregnant partners who live in or have traveled to Zika-affected areas:
- Men with pregnant partners who live or have traveled to an area of active Zika transmission and their partner should use condoms every time during sex or abstain from having sex for the duration of the pregnancy.
- Pregnant women and their male partners should discuss the man's potential exposure to the Zika virus, as well as to Zika-like illnesses, with the pregnant woman's care provider.
For non-pregnant women, the CDC recommended couples concerned about sexual transmission of the Zika virus should always wear a condom during sex or abstain from having sex. It is unknown how long the risk should be avoided.
The CDC said there is still no evidence the Zika virus can be transmitted from person to person through casual contact. Mosquito bites remain the primary way of contracting the virus. There is still no vaccine or means of treatment.
For more information, visit odh.ohio.gov/zika.
