Watch: What To Know About the Zika Virus
Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — The World Health Organization is calling the mosquito transmitted zika virus a world wide concern.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the first case of the virus being sexually transmitted in Texas.
With the WHO predicting at least 3 million infections worldwide in the coming year, medical experts say it’s important to be aware.
“It means that its spreading very rapidly and that we don’t quite know what all the ramifications of the illness can be but what we have seen can be very detrimental,” says Dr.Nichole McDonald, OB/GYN with Lexington Medical Center.
According to Dr.McDonald, the worst impact is on unborn babies who come in contact with the virus.
She explains,”In pregnant women it has been linked to causing a small brain during pregnancy and some actual calcification or hardened spots inside the brains on some babies.”
Symptoms of the virus are less severe Dr. Rebecca Widener with Palmetto Health Richland tells ABC Columbia.
“It’s usually an asymptomatic infection and if it does cause symptoms it’s typically the rash, the fever the joint pain.”
As the virus makes its way to popular vacation destinations like the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico physicians are recommending postponing travel plans.
“These mosquitoes like to be really active during the day. so it’s very difficult to protect yourself during the day while you’re traveling ,” says Dr.McDonald.
If traveling to an already infected location protection from mosquitoes is a must.
