Zika Virus: What You Need To Know

<p>It's spreading fast and igniting fears all over the world. Health officials say there are many things about the Zika virus you may not know.&nbsp;</p>

Tuesday, February 9th 2016, 7:56 am

By: News 9


It's spreading fast and igniting fears all over the world. Health officials say there are many things about the Zika virus you may not know.

Health officials say there are several facts about the Zika virus that are not well known. Common facts about the virus include it may be linked to severe birth defects, causing a child's head to be under-developed. And there is no vaccine or cure.

There are some things you may not know. The virus can cause some patients to develop a rare auto-immune condition, causing paralysis. Most patients recover after a week, but it could be fatal if it affects a patient's breathing.

Also, as temperatures rise, so does risk. The hotter it gets the better the mosquito can transmit the virus.

You could miss the symptoms.  Officials say symptoms in adults are generally mild, and 80 percent of Zika patients showed no symptoms at all.

Lastly, many may not know how fast the virus is spreading. So far, more than 50 cases have been reported in the U.S.

World Health Organization estimates that up to four million people will likely contract the virus in the next year.

Right now, the CDC has declared a level one activation, which is reserved for the most serious health emergencies.

This will bring medical experts together for a united front against fighting the Zika virus.

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