Canada reports its first sexually transmitted Zika case

Canadian health officials reported the first case of sexually transmitted Zika virus in the country on Monday.

“We want to remind Canadians that there have been no confirmed cases of locally-acquired Zika virus through mosquitoes, and that the overall risk in Canada remains very low,” according to the statement. 

An Ontario resident contracted the virus from a sexual partner who recently traveled to an affected country,  according to a joint statement from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

In Canada, there have been 55 travel-related cases of Zika virus and one sexually transmitted case, according to authorities.

Although scientists have known for some time that Zika can be transmitted through sex by semen, the vast majority of cases are spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes, much like malaria or West Nile virus.

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According to the CDC, there is no evidence that women can sexually transmit the disease to their sex partners.

Men who have lived in or traveled to areas with the Zika virus should wear condoms or abstain from sex if they have a pregnant sexual partner for the entire duration of the pregnancy, according to the CDC.

Although Zika infections are usually mild, and deaths are rare, health authorities are concerned because of a link between the disease and a sharp increase in birth defects in Brazil.

Contributing: Liz Szabo 

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