Written By: Anusha Iyengar | Updated : February 7, 2016 1:18 PM IST
The Zika virus has been found in the saliva and urine of two patients in Brazil, as reported by Firstpost. It is not known if body fluids could transmit the virus but the discovery could make pregnant revellers wary of kissing strangers at the country's Carnival festivities. Brazilian scientists had announced their discovery on Friday, as U.S. health officials have advised more advised more strict measures to monitor pregnant women for Zika and to prevent sexual transmission of the virus. Here are 6 symptoms of zika viral disease that everyone should know about.
The zika outbreak has been announced as a public health emergency by the WHO. The possibility of infection through body fluids could complicate the efforts to combat the epidemic. Scientists at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, a Brazil federal government biomedical research institution, said they used genetic testing to identify the virus in samples from two patients while they had symptoms and were known to have Zika. (Read: First case of sexually transmitted zika virus reported from the US)
It was the first time the virus has been detected in saliva and urine, the scientists told reporters in Rio de Janeiro, where the five-day Carnival began on Friday, a huge event with street parties and a lot of drinking alcohol. The virus was deemed active which means that it was able to cause infection. But Myrna Bonaldo, one of the scientists who made the discovery, noted that this 'is not proof that it can contaminate other people through those fluids.' But the foundation urged pregnant women to take precautions and avoid crowds during Carnival. Some revellers even keep track of the number of complete strangers they kiss.
'In light of the possibility of being in contact with someone who is infected, do not kiss, obviously,' said Dr Paulo Gadelha, the foundation's president. The discovery of Zika in urine and saliva added to concern that Zika, which is predominantly spread by the Aedis aegypti mosquito, could also be transmitted by other means. Here are 8 essential tips to prevent Zika virus.
Brazil is particularly concerned to fight an outbreak as the country grapples with a deep economic crisis and prepares to host the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August. The World Health Organization said that between January 2014 and Feb. 5, 2016, a total of 33 countries have reported indigenous circulation of Zika virus. The WHO said there was evidence of indirect local transmission in six other countries.
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