San Francisco Zika Virus Cases Climbs to 8

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A total of eight San Francisco residents have tested positive for Zika virus, the city's Department of Public Health announced Friday. The latest case comes just a week after the health department declared two additional cases of the virus, and two weeks after three other cases were also announced, making July the month with the highest number of infections reported.

All of the residents who tested positive for Zika contracted the virus while traveling outside the U.S. Additionally, the virus is not circulating in the city and there is no risk to the public, according to the
health department.The health department is not providing any details about the patients, in order to protect their privacy.

The city's first case of Zika was reported on March 3, followed by a second case reported on April 22. The Zika virus is spread through mosquito bites and can generally cause mild symptoms in patients, such as fever, joint pain, rash and red eyes. Places where the virus is currently circulating include most of Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands, according to health department officials.

Women who are pregnant are most at-risk to the virus, as Zika is known to cause birth defects, including microcephaly, a condition that causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads. There is evidence that the virus can be passed through sexual transmission from men to women and men to men.

• Researchers: Zika Virus Blocked From Fetus By Antibiotic

Currently there is no vaccine for Zika, however, research is underway, health department officials said. To avoid getting infected, health officials advise that pregnant women refrain from unnecessary travel to places where the virus is circulating, as well as abstain from having unprotected sex with someone who is infected with Zika or has traveled to a place where it is circulating.

People who travel to areas where the virus is active should take precaution against getting mosquito bites, according to health officials. More information about Zika is available online.

— Bay City News; Photo by Takako Tabata, UC San Francisco