Pennsylvania Suspect Zika Cases Increase To 53

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http://www.health.pa.gov/My Health/Diseases and Conditions/U-Z/Pages/Zika.aspx#.VsOU6vkrLZa

 

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ZIKA VIRUS

Updated 2/16/16

 

Zika virus is a generally mild illness that is spread primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. Common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes), lasting from several days to one week. Rarely, the virus is spread from mother to child. Spread of the virus through blood transfusion and sexual contact has also been reported.

 

The current Zika virus outbreak began in May 2015 in Brazil, leading to reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes. The outbreak has spread to numerous countries and areas, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue travel notices to regions where the Zika virus transmission is ongoing.

 

The first case of Zika virus disease contracted in the U.S. occurred recently in Texas and involved an individual who had sexual contact with someone who acquired the Zika infection while traveling abroad. Other confirmed cases of the illness in the U.S. have occured in individuals who had traveled to areas affected by the Zika outbreak.

 

TRAVEL ALERT

The CDC has issued a travel alert for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. The list of affected areas may change frequently, so please check www.cdc.gov/zika for the most up-to-date information.

 

POTENTIAL RISK TO PREGNANT WOMEN

Health authorities are currently investigating a potential link between Zika virus in pregnant women and microcephaly (an abnormally small head) in their babies.

 

Until more is known, the CDC recommends that all pregnant women consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant and must travel to these areas should consult with their health care provider and take extra care to protect themselves from mosquito bites when traveling to an area known to have Zika.
 

Update: Interim Guidelines for Health Care Providers Caring for Pregnant Women and Women of Reproductive Age with Possible Zika Virus Exposure  (Feb 5, 2016)

 

CDC's Interim Guidelines for Pregnant Women during a Zika Virus Outbreak  (Jan. 19, 2016)

 

Men who have recently traveled to a Zika-affected area and have a pregnant partner should take steps to prevent sexual transmission of Zika virus.
 
Interim Guidelines for Prevention of Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus (Feb 5, 2016)

 

ABOUT ZIKA VIRUS

Zika virus occurs in tropical areas with large mosquito populations, and is known to circulate in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific. The virus was first discovered in 1947, but the first outbreak of the disease wasn't documented until 2007.

 

SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Zika virus is spread primarily to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species of mosquito. The primary mosquito that carries the disease is not found in Pennsylvania. A secondary mosquito, known commonly as the Asian Tiger mosquito, may potentially carry the Zika virus. The Asian Tiger mosquito has been reported in southern and southeastern Pennsylvania but is not active in winter months. 

 

Zika virus cannot be transmitted through casual contact.

 

The incubation period (time from being bitten by the infected mosquito to symptoms) is not clear, but is likely between a few days to one week.

 

Symptoms:

The symptoms, which are usually mild and last for 2-7 days, include:

• Fever;
• Rash;
• Muscle and/or joint pain;
• Conjunctivitis (red eyes); and
• Headache.

Severe illness requiring hospitalization is uncommon. Deaths from Zika virus are rare.

Diagnosis:

• See your health care provider if you develop the symptoms described above and have visited an area where Zika is found.
• If you have recently traveled to Zika-affected areas, tell your health care provider when and where you traveled.
•  If you are pregnant and traveled to a Zika-affected area during your pregnancy, contact your health care provider.
• All Zika virus testing should be coordinated with the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH. Specimens will be routed to the CDC for testing as appropriate.
• Testing might also be done to rule out other viruses that have similar symptoms. 

Treatment:

• No vaccine or medications are available to prevent or treat Zika virus.
• Treat the symptoms:
  • Get plenty of rest;
  • Drink fluids to prevent dehydration; and
  • Take medicine, such as acetaminophen, to reliever fever and pain. Do not take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen.

PREVENTION

The best way to prevent Zika is to protect against mosquito bites when traveling to an affected area. This can be done by:

• Using an insect repellent containing DEET;
• Wearing light-colored clothes that cover as much of the body as possible;
• Using physical barriers such as screens, closed doors and windows, and;
• Sleeping under mosquito nets.

Sexual transmission of Zika virus is possible. Men who have traveled to Zika-affected areas should take steps to prevent the spread of Zika virus through sexual contact.

Interim Guidelines for Prevention of SexualTransmission of Zika Virus (Feb 5, 2016)

If you develop symptoms within two weeks of visiting a Zika-affected country, contact your health care provider.

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53 people in Pennsylvania await Zika test results

 

 

BY BEN SCHMITT  | Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, 1:54 p.m.

 

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Updated 3 minutes ago

Fifty-three Pennsylvanians now have pending tests for the mosquito-borne Zika virus with federal officials, a steep climb from last week.

The state Department of Health on Tuesday released new figures indicating eight residents have tested negative for the virus while two unidentified women have tested positive and recovered. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta is performing the blood tests.

A week ago, the state health department said 12 tests were pending with the CDC. Officials did not immediately respond to request for comment to explain the increase.

Worldwide, health authorities suspect the virus led to an increase in Brazil of microcephaly, in which children are born with abnormally small heads. As a result, the World Health Organization recently declared an international health emergency. The CDC advised pregnant women or those considering becoming pregnant to avoid travel to places with Zika outbreaks.

There's no vaccine for the virus, which spreads primarily through bites from a mosquito not typically found in Pennsylvania or Ohio.

In Allegheny County, results are pending for 16 people, according to the county health department.

The CDC said sexual transmission of the virus is possible, but mosquito bites remain the primary way Zika is transmitted.

Ben Schmitt is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at (412) 320-7991 or[email protected]

http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/9984729-74/health-virus-zika

 

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16 Being Tested In Allegheny Co. For Zika Virus

February 16, 2016 4:39 PM

Filed Under: Allegheny County Health Department, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Zika Virus

 

 

 

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) — State health officials have released the latest numbers on the Zika virus as concerns continue to grow globally.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health says they are awaiting the results of more than 53 blood tests.

At least 16 of those tests are from Allegheny County, says the Allegheny County Health Department.

Last week, health officials confirmed that two women tested positive for the virus. At least one of those cases was near Philadelphia.

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Symptoms of the Zika virus include fever, a rash and achy joints.

Most people recover in about a week, but doctors believe the virus puts pregnant women at serious risks for birth defects.

For the latest on the Zika virus in Pennsylvania, visit the state Health Department’s website here.

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2016/02/16/16-being-tested-in-allegheny-co-for-zika-virus/