Zika virus scientists issue NO KISSING warning for pregnant ladies at Rio Carnival
SCIENTISTS are warning pregnant women in Brazil again kissing strangers in the latest Zika virus update.
Scientists have warned against kissing at Rio Carnival
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Scientists have identified the Zika virus in the saliva and urine of two infected patients, it’s been revealed.
A top Brazilian biomedical research institution – the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation – broke the news to reporters in Rio de Janeiro last night.
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They issued a warning to pregnant women in Brazil, telling them to steer clear of kissing strangers in case the virus can be transferred through spit.
The news comes as local carnival celebrations begin – traditionally a time to celebrate before the beginning of Lent every year.
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The Zika virus has spread rapidly across the Americas and now into Europe.The virus carried by mosquitos has been strongly linked to microcephaly in babies, where the child is born with an abnormal smallness of the head and incomplete brain development.
The virus is active, meaning it had the potential to cause infection
It’s believed scientists used genetic testing to identify the virus in saliva and urine samples from the two infected patients.
Both are suffering with symptoms caused by Zika infection, and the medical team have determined the virus is active, meaning it had the potential to cause infection.
Having said this, more research is needed to determine whether or not the Zika can be transmitted through saliva or urine.
Zika, which is spreading through the Americas and can cause pregnant women to give birth to babies with shrunken heads, was declared an international emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday.
Scientists are worried that kissing could spread the virus
And this latest development will come as a huge blow to the organisers of the 2016 summer Olympic Games, set to be held in Rio de Janeiro in August.
No cases of the mosquito-born virus have been reported in the UK, but two adults have been confirmed to have had it in Ireland.
Zika has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains in Brazil. Colombia has also seen a rise in the number of patients diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder which can cause paralysis.
WHO officials have predicted as many as four million people could be infected with the virus this year.
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