The first case of the Zika virus being sexually transmitted has been reported in the UK. According to the authorities, a woman acquired the infection from her partner who had traveled to a Zika-affected nation.
Studies have revealed that the mosquito-borne virus can live in the semen for months, making sexual transmission possible.
There have been reports of venereal spread of the virus in other nations. So, the case in Britain was "not unexpected."
Professor Jimmy Whitworth of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine that the "one case of sexual transmission of Zika that has occurred in the UK is not unexpected." He added that "discovering just how common it is for the virus to be passed during sex by a man or woman is a key focus for Zika researchers."
Public Health England (PHE) has recorded a total of 265 cases of the Zika virus with one possibly acquired through intercourse while seven cases involved gestating women. Out of the 265 cases, about 190 patients had visited the Caribbean specially the regions of Grenada, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Jamaica, and Barbados. Also, 33 and 2 cases were associated with trips to South America and the state of Florida, respectively. There was one case each from South East Asia and Oceania.
The PHE's Zika Incident Director Dilys Morgan said that the "PHE advises all male travelers regardless of symptoms to avoid conception and use condoms and other barrier methods during sexual activities for six months following return from a Zika-high or moderate-risk country." On the other hand, women are advised not to get pregnant for at least 60 days from the date of visit to affected countries.
Dipti Patel, Director of the National Health Network and Center, highlighted that the holiday season would result in an influx of people visiting Zika-affected nations. He recommended that "all travelers seek out the latest travel health advice" particularly for expecting women heading to areas with reported Zika infection.
This viral disease only has mild symptoms. However, the baby of infected women can suffer from a condition called microcephaly or an abnormally small and undeveloped brain.
The PHE reported that the woman with the first case of sexually transmitted Zika virus in the UK has fully recovered.