Two British travellers have been diagnosed with the mosquito-born Zika virus after travelling to Florida.
The two Britons, who have not been identified, contracted the virus in the "high-risk" area of Miami-Dade County, according to Public Health England.
Details of when the patients were diagnosed and their treatment are currently unclear.
The Zika virus is associated with a birth defect called microcephaly, when contracted by pregnant women. It can result in children being born with abnormally small heads and brain damage.
Florida became the first state on the US mainland this summer to report cases of Zika that were not contracted abroad.
Miami-Dade County is the state's worst-affected region. US health officials recommend that all pregnant women who have spent any time in the area should be tested for the virus.
The UK Government put out a travel alert for pregnant women during the summer, warning they should postpone non-essential travel to Miami-Dade County until after their pregnancy.
Pregnant women have been told to consider postponing non-essential travel to the rest of Florida, where the risk of contracting the virus is considered "moderate".
There have also been warnings to men to wear condoms or refrain from sex after returning from infected areas as the virus has been known to lie dormant in sperm.
Some 229 Britons have been diagnosed with Zika, according to Public Health England figures published on 12 October.
Most had travelled to areas with Zika epidemics in the Caribbean and South and Central America.
The largest number reported travel to Jamaica (34), followed by Barbados (32), St Lucia (20).
Zika does not occur naturally in the UK.
Follow The Forefront on:
> facebook Nigerian audience
> The Forefront on Twitter
>BBM Channel: C002CB006 {WELCOME TO THE FOREFRONT}
> The Forefront on Twitter
>BBM Channel: C002CB006 {WELCOME TO THE FOREFRONT}
Share this post with others on social media with options below.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment
Disclaimer!!! Opinions expressed in comments do not represent THE FOREFRONT MEDIA NG's views. All participants are entitled to their opinions. Thank you!!!
Advertise on the Forefront: For advert placement in the blog or advert posts like news updates, reach +2348124620827 [WhatsApp].
Copyright 2023 The Forefront Media Ng. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from The Forefront Media Ng