TEXAS – A patient diagnosed with the Zika virus in Texas became infected after having sexual contact with another sufferer, health experts said today.
It marks the first case of sexual transmission of the virus in the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed. Dallas County health officials said the patient’s partner fell ill after visiting a country where Zika is rife.
While six people in Harris County, close to Houston, have contracted the disease after traveling to affected regions, this is thought to be the first case of a person becoming infected on US soil, having not traveled.
Zachary Thompson, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services, said: ‘Now that we know Zika virus can be transmitted through sex, this increases our awareness campaign in educating the public about protecting themselves and others. (read more)
