Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) has identified the first imported case of Zika virus in the county, in a positive sample tested in TCPH’s North Texas Regional Laboratory.

The patient traveled to a Caribbean country with known local transmission of the disease

http://access.tarrantcounty.com/en/public-health/news/2016/imported-zika-case-confirmed-in-tarrant-county.html

 

Edited February 25, 201610 yr by niman

IMPORTED ZIKA CASE CONFIRMED IN TARRANT COUNTY

 

Tarrant County - Home > Public Health > News Releases > News Releases 2016 > Imported Zika Case Confirmed in Tarrant County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kelly Hanes

Senior Public Information Officer

Tarrant County Public Health

817-321-5306 direct

817-401-5967 mobile

Imported Zika Case Confirmed in Tarrant County

No local transmission reported at this time

February 25, 2016 (Tarrant County, TX) – Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) has identified the first imported case of Zika virus in the county, in a positive sample tested in TCPH’s North Texas Regional Laboratory.

The patient traveled to a Caribbean country with known local transmission of the disease. No other health information will be released at this time to protect the identity of the patient.

Zika virus is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is typically mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. Sexual transmission of Zika virus can also occur and is of particular concern during pregnancy.

TCPH is encouraging healthcare providers to remain alert for Zika virus, especially in patients with recent travel to countries with local transmission of the disease.

If a person infected with Zika virus is bit by an Aedes mosquito, that mosquito may later bite another person and spread the virus further.

“The most important thing residents can do is to eliminate mosquito breeding sites around their home,” said TCPH Health Director Vinny Taneja. “When we stop the breeding cycle, we help stop the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.”

Although the beginning of mosquito season is still several weeks away, residents are encouraged to maintain their properties to reduce mosquito breeding sites. Residents should:

• Routinely dump standing water on their property,
• Overturn all small containers,
• Dispose of any trash or debris that can contain small amounts of water.

TCPH has produced a video to help residents Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites.

County residents can also call the health department’s Zika Hotline (817-248-6299), if they have questions about this disease. For more information on Zika virus and for other useful tips, visit our Zika virus web page.

Map Update

 

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Edited February 25, 201610 yr by niman