A recent case of Zika virus in Utah has made people worried that the infection could have new method of transmission.
The case of Zika virus in Utah
So far, scientists have done researched on the virus and found that the mosquito-borne disease can be transmitted in several ways. For instance, from sexual contact, blood transfusion, or from pregnant woman to her baby, CNN wrote.
However, the case is different in Utah where an elderly patient died of Zika virus, infected his caregiver. The doctors have not confirmed any new method of transmission.
According to CDC, the patient was infected after traveling to an area with Zika. His blood test result showed an impressively high amount of virus, that is, 100,000 times higher than in other Zika-infected patients, LA Times reported.
Could Zika virus be transmitted from person to person?
CDC further explained that there has been no evidence that the virus can be passed from person to person such as kissing or sneezing. Reached out for comment, a spokesperson from Utah Department of Health claimed that 'this is a unique situation'. Fortunately, the caregiver managed to recover from the infection albeit the unknown source. For the record, the caregiver has never had any sexual contact with Zika-infected person nor visited a Zika outbreak area.
Tom Frieden, CDC Director, said that since the caregiver did not travel to an affected area, it is possible that the person might get the virus from the mosquito - accidentally brought in the suitcase, NBC reported. Albeit the uncertainty, the agency did not make any revision on its advices for healthcare workers and caregivers. "There is no evidence that there is any risk of Zika virus transmission among the general public in Utah," Dr. Angela Dunn, epidemiologist at the Utah Department of Health claimed.
Zika virus in USA
There have been more than 1,000 reports of Zika infection in 50 states including in Utah. Health officials claimed that the infection caused by patients traveling to Zika outbreak countries.
