BEWARE: Pregnant Victorian woman diagnosed with Zika virus

Acting chief health officer Roscoe Taylor said pregnant women who had travelled in those areas who have symptoms of the Zika virus should see their doctor and be tested.

Pregnant Victorian woman diagnosed with Zika virus

Source: Free Images

Health authorities have confirmed that a pregnant woman has been diagnosed with the Zika virus in Victoria.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy said on Friday the woman, who was diagnosed earlier this week and is going through an "extremely anxious" time, had returned from a country where the virus was prevalent.

Acting chief health officer Roscoe Taylor said pregnant women who had travelled in those areas who have symptoms of the Zika virus should see their doctor and be tested.

The Zika virus was transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito in a country overseas where there was active Zika virus transmission occurring, Dr Taylor said.
"The virus normally can cause either no symptoms in about 80 per cent of cases or a mild illness that resolves usually after a few days. The illness may include a fever, a rash which is sometimes itchy, and joint pains," Dr Taylor said.
Ms Hennessey said the Zika virus poses no public health risk to others in the community as it is not transmitted person to person and is not present in Australian mosquitoes.

Here is what the World Health Organisation has to say about the Pregnant women travelling to countries affected by Zika Virus.
Research is still being conducted to 'prove' the link between the Zika virus and microcephaly, a condition, that causes unusually small skulls and brains, leading to death or disability.

 


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By Mosiqi Acharya

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