The Zika virus is now sexually transmitted in the U.S.

The mosquito-borne Zika virus was transmitted through sexual contact with an ill individual in Dallas, Texas, becoming the first such case in the United States in 2016, ABC reports.

"Now that we know Zika virus can be transmitted through sex, this increases our awareness campaign in educating the public about protecting themselves and others. Next to abstinence, condoms are the best prevention method against any sexually-transmitted infections," a Dallas County Health and Human Services official said.

The World Health Organization declared Zika a global health emergency on Monday due to an "explosive" number of cases in South America. While patients rarely die of Zika, it may cause a neurological birth disorder in infants whose mothers harbor the virus. Read more about the Zika outbreak here.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up