There are two confirmed cases of the Zika virus in Manitoba, but our RHA says we won't be seeing an outbreak. Southern Health-Santé Sud Medical Officer of Health Dr. Shelley Buchan says while there are two cases, person-to-person transmission anywhere in Canada is highly unlikely.

"In Manitoba, because we don't have the mosquito that transmits the virus, we're not going to see person-to-person transmission. We're not going to see big clusters of cases coming here because of what's happening in Canada. This is really a travel related disease."

She notes adults who contract the virus will see relatively mild symptoms, if any. However, Buchan says the reason they're keeping track of cases is because of the potential impact of birth defects associated with the illness.

"The virus produces quite mild symptoms, generally speaking, in people. In fact, 75 per cent don't even know they've been infected. The issue with Zika virus relates to the fetus. Women who are pregnant, and become infected, the virus is linked to microcephaly, which is a permanent condition that impacts the infant for the rest of their life."

Buchan says women who are thinking of having children should wait at least two months after returning to Canada from a Zika infected region, before trying to conceive. However, studies on the sexual transmission of the virus are ongoing, and Buchan says that means men will need to take the precaution as well.

"The understanding around how the virus can be sexually transmitted isn't fully known, but there are precautions people can take. Again, it all relates to an unborn child. If a male partner returns from a Zika infected country and has symptoms, the wait period is much longer at six months. If they come back and they're fine, there's a two month wait period as well for them."

She emphasizes pregnant women should do all they can to avoid travel to countries where the virus is present. She says if that's unavoidable, you must be aware of mosquito control, and do everything in your power to prevent exposure to mosquitoes.