CDC Issues Guidelines For Preventing Sexual Transmission Of Zika Virus
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - It was just this week when officials with Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) confirmed a patient in Dallas County was the first in the United States to be infected with the Zika virus through sexual transmission. Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued some interim guidelines on how to prevent transmitting the virus sexually.
Zika virus is primarily transmitted to people by mosquitoes and in rare cases is also passed through sexual activity. CDC officials say they are issuing the new STD guidelines, but the best way to avoid Zika virus infection is to prevent mosquito bites.
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As far as sexual transmission, health officials say that to date, there have been no reports of Zika virus being sexually transmitted from infected women to their sex partners.
Here are the new recommendations for pregnant women, and men with pregnant sex partners who live in or have traveled to Zika-affected areas:
- Discuss the male partner's potential exposures and history of Zika-like illness with the pregnant woman's health care provider.
- They should consistently and correctly use condoms during sex or abstain from sexual activity for the duration of the pregnancy.
Here are the new recommendations for non-pregnant women, and men with non-pregnant sexual partners who live in or have traveled to Zika-affected areas:
- Couples concerned about sexual transmission of Zika virus may consider using condoms consistently and correctly during sex or abstaining from sexual activity.
- Couples may consider several factors when making this complex and personal decision to abstain or use condoms:
- Zika virus illness is usually mild.
- The risk of Zika infection depends on how long and how much a person has been exposed to infected mosquitoes, and the steps taken to prevent mosquito bites while in an affected area.
- The science is not clear on how long the risk should be avoided. If a woman is trying to get pregnant, you may consider testing in discussion with your health care provider.
Little has changes in terms of the initial advice that all travelers to or residents of areas with ongoing Zika virus transmissions should follow measures to prevent mosquito bites.
Here in North Texas health officials are urging residents to:
- DEET—Use bug spray and protect clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET;
- DRESS—Dress in loose, light- colored clothing with long sleeves and wear long pants;
- DUSK/DAWN—Limit outdoor exposure at dusk and dawn;
- DRAIN—all areas of standing water including changing water in wading pools, birdbaths, and cleaning out gutters
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