WARNING: Zika Virus Can Be Transferred Through Sexual Intercourse

Zika Virus is an emerging mosquito borne virus. It is a member of the virus family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus, transmitted by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. aegypti and A. albopictus. The infection, known as Zika Virus, often causes no or only mild symptoms.

Image from Viral4Real

This Zika virus can cause the shrinking of the babies' brains which develop abnormally small skulls. 

The Zika virus was first discovered in Africa in 1947, which is carried by mosquito called aedes aegypti, which is also known for carrying deadly virus like Chikungunya, yellow fever and dengue. While it is fact that this virus can get through mosquito bites, a case in the US reveals that the virus can be transferred through sexual intercourse.

In 2008, a man who travelled to Dallas from Venenzuela contracted the disease and passed on to his wife, but not to their children were safe and were not infected.

In December 2013, French scientists also found Zika virus in semen samples of a 44 year old Tahitian man long after the virus disappeared from his blood, showing that there is a big possibility that the infection can be sexually transmitted.

It was advised to restrain from sexual activities for those individuals who recently travelled to Zika prone areas.

Source: Viral4Real