Canada’s Public Health Agency has confirmed the first positive case of sexually transmitted Zika virus in the country.
The agency said on Tuesday in Ottawa that the infection was confirmed after a testing at the agency’s National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.
It said in a statement that an Ontario resident whose partner had been infected by the virus after travelling to an affected country was affected.
The agency said the laboratory is still investigating another suspected case of sexually-transmitted Zika. It disclosed that altogether 55 Canadians have been confirmed positive with infection of Zika virus.
It confirmed that they were all infected while travelling to regions where the disease is spreading, including South and Central Americas, parts of Mexico and the Caribbean.
“Among them are two pregnant women from British Columbia.
The agency advised that pregnant women and those planning a pregnancy should avoid travel to countries with ongoing Zika virus outbreaks.
It emphasised that if travel cannot be avoided or postponed, strict mosquito bite prevention measures should be taken.
REFERENCE : Leadreship News
