"In addition, asymptomatic pregnant women who have traveled to Zika-affected areas should be tested for the Zika virus between 2-12 weeks post travel".
According to the state Department of Health, there are 11 cases of Zika in NY: three in Suffolk County; one in Nassau County; one in Rockland County; one in Westchester County; one in Monroe County; and one in Orange County.
It would be extremely hard to determine if individuals who contracted the virus in countries where the disease is circulating in mosquitos, contracted the virus sexually, so experts don't know how common sexual transmission may be.
Cases of the syndrome, which causes weakness and sometimes paralysis, have increased in tandem with the outbreak of the Zika virus now sweeping Latin America.
Like other Flaviviruses, Zika is carried and primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
"The bottom line for most people in the U.S.is that pregnant women should postpone travel to Zika-affected areas".
"Consistent and correct use of latex condoms reduces the risk of sexual transmission of many infections, including those caused by other viruses". Women with any symptoms of Zika, such as a rash or fever, should be tested for the virus right away.
Asked during a conference call with reporters how likely it might be that Zika could spread through saliva and urine, Frieden said "we just have no data to inform that".
Zika has spread rapidly through the Americas, prompting the World Health Organization to declare an global public health emergency due to its link to microcephaly, a condition in which infants are born with abnormally small heads and can suffer developmental problems.
The CDC recommends that pregnant women whose sexual partners live in or have traveled to places where the virus is spreading should either abstain from sexual activity or "consistently and correctly" use condoms during vaginal, oral or anal sex.
The mosquito-borne virus has spread to at least 29 countries.
No mosquitoes have been found to be carrying Zika in Queensland and although 10 cases have been reported in the state since 2014, none were on the Sunshine Coast and each was found to have been brought in by someone returning from overseas. That's why the new recommendation for precautions during sex is for a woman's entire pregnancy. Hospitalization and death due to Zika are rare. Pregnant women experiencing symptoms should be immediately tested, and those not, are recommended to when they begin prenatal care. Researchers have identified evidence of Zika infection in 17 of these cases, either in the baby or in the mother, but have not confirmed that Zika can cause microcephaly. It's also not known if a woman who is infected with Zika can spread the disease to a man through sex, the agency said.
Congress grills Michigan officials over Flint water crisis
Gary Peters, D-Mich., said the crisis in Flint demands immediate action. "This would be a law that says they have to go public". But the emails, obtained by the group Progress Michigan and reported by the AP, suggest his office was briefed in March.
