Two members of the U.S. military stationed in South America contracted Zika virus.
The soldiers, assigned in Brazil and Colombia, are said to have already recovered and is now back in service.
"Both cases were confirmed," says Navy Admiral Kurt Tidd, who heads the U.S. Southern Command.
In a briefing, Tidd says that the recovery of the men entailed a fairly straightforward procedure.
Military Actions
Tidd says the U.S. forces have already talked with partner militaries in the area and has given some supplies that may help to eradicate mosquitoes such as insect nets.
Pregnant Service Member Returned To The U.S. Due To Zika Scare
Tidd also announced on Thursday that another member of the military assigned in a Zika-affected region flew back to U.S. early, in the fear of contracting the infection.
Maternal Zika virus infections have been associated with thousands of birth defects, most especially microcephaly in Brazil, other Latin American countries and in the Caribbean.
In the latest meeting of the World Health Organization's Emergency Committee held on Tuesday, Mar. 8, officials reviewed new data signifying stronger links of Zika virus and birth defects.
In the end, the organization recommended all pregnant women to stay away from areas recognized to have Zika virus outbreak.
WHO also advises pregnant women whose husbands and sexual partners have travelled or are living in Zika-affected regions to practice safe sex or abstain from sexual contact during the entire pregnancy.
WHO Director General Margaret Chan says the organization officials need not to wait for stronger scientific proof linking Zika virus and birth defects, considering the trend of current analyses.
Zika virus infection has been detected in Brazil since the latter part of 2014. In October 2015, the country's Ministry of Health reported a significant increase in microcephaly cases.
In January 2016, the total number of babies with suspected microcephaly reached 3,530. Majority of infants born with microcephaly have mothers who have travelled to or have lived in an area known to have had ongoing Zika virus transmission during the time of pregnancy.
Photo: John Tann | Flickr
