Zika virus: CDC investigating 14 possible cases of sexually transmitted Zika

Several of the potential cases involve pregnant women.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is researching 14 possible cases of sexually transmitted Zika. (Getty Images)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating 14 possible new cases of the Zika virus that may have been sexually transmitted.

Two women are confirmed to have the virus with no other risk factors than sexual contact with men who traveled to countries battling Zika, according to the Washington Post. Four other women have initially tested positive for the virus and are awaiting further results, and eight women are under investigation. Several of the potential cases involve pregnant women.

"Like previously reported cases of sexual transmission, these cases involve possible transmission of the virus from men to their sex partners," the CDC said in a statement. "At this time, there is no evidence that women can transmit Zika virus to their sex partners; however, more research is needed to understand the issue."

The CDC did not disclose where these women live. Dallas had the first reported case of sexually transmitted Zika in the United States.

If these cases are confirmed, it would mean that Zika can be transmitted via sex more easily than first thought.

The World Health Organization has declared Zika a global health emergency. The breakout has been linked to a spike in microcephaly in Brazil, where babies are being born with deformed heads caused by brain damage.

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