Sexual encounters increase American Zika cases

The CDC reported 14 more Zika cases in people who did not travel to affected zones.

The Bible says we should not commit adultery. Monogamy is so important that sexually transmitted diseases could be nearly eradicated if we just followed this basic Commandment. Unfortunately, those who engage in sexual activity with more than one partner are left exposed to diseases like HIV, AIDS and now the Zika virus.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Federal health officials announced that Zika has spread to at least fourteen more people in the United States.

Of those infected, two are suspected of contracting the virus via sexual transmission.

The CDC released a statement saying: "CDC and state public health departments are now investigating 14 new reports of possible sexual transmission of Zika virus, including several involving pregnant women.

"In two of the new suspected sexual transmission events, Zika virus infection has been confirmed in women whose only known risk factor was sexual contact with an ill male partner who had recently traveled to an area with local Zika virus transmission; testing for the male partners is still pending."

A list of guidelines for pregnant women and men with pregnant sexual partners living in, or who have traveled to, Zika-infected areas are advised to:

• Discuss the male partner's potential exposures and history of Zika-like illness with the pregnant woman's health care provider, who should consult the CDC's guidelines for evaluation and testing of pregnant women.
• Men with a pregnant sex partner who lives in, or who has traveled to, an area with active Zika transmissions and their pregnant sexual partners should abstain from sexual activity for the duration of the pregnancy.

For women who are not pregnant and for men who have sexual partners who are not pregnant who have traveled to, or lived in, Zika-affected areas have been advised to do the following:

• Couples who are concerned about sexual transmission of Zika should abstain from sex
• Couples should consider factors including facts like 4/5 Zika-infected people never have symptoms.

Dr. Anne Schuchat, of the CDC, said each case of Zika involved a man who traveled to a Zika-affected area who gave the virus to a female partner within two weeks.

Unfortunately, it is unknown how long bodily fluids can transfer the virus, so abstinence has been encouraged to prevent the spread of Zika.

"Although this is an investigation in progress, we thought it was important to get the word out to people to remind them that we think pregnant women should avoid traveling to Zika-affected areas," Shuchat warned.

The spread of Zika has been so fast that the World Health Organization (WHO) was forced to declare it a public emergency - particularly due to the dangers the virus presents to unborn babies.

Zika has been known to spread through mosquito bites and sexual intercourse, with some scientists speculating side effects include paralysis.

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