Zika virus spreading, more than just latest scare

Could now be spread by sexual contact

Suddenly, it seems like the whole world is fighting the mosquito-borne Zika. 

The virus scare might seem like the latest panic-inducing outbreak to grip the world’s fascination, but there might be a good reason for that, says infectious disease physician David McNamara at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.

“Any time you have a new virus moving into new geographic areas and to new populations, it’s a significant public health emergency,” McNamara said.

At first, it seemed like people could just avoid the Zika virus by not getting anywhere near the mosquitoes that carry it. 

Then news this week came that said it might be transferable through sexual contact. But is it true or just a rumor.

“Sure, I think that’s a very real possibility,” McNamara said.

McNamara added it’s a good reminder that pregnant or hoping to conceive women should consider altering their travel plans to Zika hot spots

“For other travelers, certainly they can go to those areas,” McNamara said, “but it’s very imp to try and do everything we can do reduce the risk of mosquito bites.”

McNamara says it’s clear that additional mosquito control is necessary to effectively combat Zika in the countries that have been hit by the virus.