WASHINGTON, DC (WMOT) -- Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander urged Americans to be concerned about the Zika virus during hearings held in Washington D.C Wednesday, but not to panic over the mosquito transmitted disease.
Zika is present in much of Central and South American and cases have also been reported in 22 American states, including Tennessee. Health officials on Wednesday said three pregnant Florida women had tested positive for the virus.
Zika may be linked to a birth defect called microcephaly that results in brain damage in newborns. It’s also been linked to cases of temporary paralysis.
It was recently discovered that Zika can be passed person-to-person in male semen. In a hearing of the Senate Health Committee Wednesday, Senator Alexander asked Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci about precautions.
“If a man comes to an area (where Zika is present) and might have been infected, even though they don’t know, and he comes back and he has a pregnant wife or a pregnant sexual partner to essential use correct and consistent use of condoms for the duration of the pregnancy or else refrain from sex.”
Alexander urged anyone with concerns to speak to their physician or to check out the Zika page at CDC.gov.