The Zika virus has spread inside the U.S. as health officials are reporting the first case of the virus locally spreading and through a new mode of transmission — sex.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Tuesday that a patient in Dallas got infected with the Zika virus after having sex with someone who recently traveled to a country where Zika is present, the Dallas health department said.
Even though 10 states have reported Zika infections, they all stemmed from someone who recently traveled to affected countries in central or South America.
This is the first case in which an infection has spread in the U.S. and from person to person.
Zika is usually transmitted through a mosquito bite, but also can be transferred through sex, health officials said.
“Now that we know Zika virus can be transmitted through sex, this increases our awareness campaign in educating the public about protecting theselves and others,” said Zachary Thompson, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services.
Zika causes a fever, rash, muscle pains and red eyes, but officials are worried it may be linked to a birth defect called microcephaly that causes babies to be born with small heads. There is no known cure for Zika and no vaccine.
The World Health Organization declared a public health emergency on Monday and has said that up to 4 million cases could occur.
The CDC has said it expects “limited” outbreaks of the virus in the U.S. but not on a major scale.
