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CDC Cites Multiple Examples of Likely Male to Female Zika Sexual Transmission In US

Zika Virus Updateshttp://idph.iowa.gov/ehi/zika Weekly updates on Zika cases in Iowa will be posted each Monday. The first travel-associated Zika case was reported by IDPH February 19, 2016. Zika Update - 2.19.16

Alabama Residents Tested for Zika Virus as of February 23, 2016 Number Tested PositiveNumber of SubmissionsNumber with Results Pending1 16 12

Zika Virus – Feb. 23, 2016 Texas has 13 cases of Zika virus disease. 12 are travelers who were infected abroad and diagnosed after they returned home. One case involves a Dallas County resident who had sexual contact with someone who acquired the Zika infection while traveling abroad. Case counts by county: Bexar County – 3Dallas County – 2Harris County – 7Travis County - 1

Map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&hl=en&authuser=0&authuser=0&mid=zv94AJqgUct4.kT4qLMXp3SLU

Student with local ties had ZikaWork in Haiti clinics was part of Pataskala man's nursing training BUY THIS PHOTOTOM DODGE/THE COLUMBUS DISPATCHThis nursing student from Pataskala, who contracted Ohio's second confirmed case of the Zika virus, asked that neither his name nor current location be revealed because he's worried about the stigma attached to the virus.By LORI KURTZMANMonday February 22, 2016 8:37 AM 0 0 0 39He started feeling sick the day he returned home from Haiti. Within a few days, he developed a headache and a fever, an illness that would come and go. Soon, he noticed a rash spreading on the backs of his hands. It progressed as the day did, itchy pink splotches rolling across his entire body. He'd contracted the Zika virus, though he didn't know it at the time. "At that point, I was more concerned that it was like malaria or something," he said. "I guess I just assumed the worst." The man, a 22-year-old from Pataskala, asked not to be named because he's worried about the stigma surrounding Zika. He is Ohio's second confirmed case of the virus. He's also a nursing student who doesn't want Zika to haunt him when he graduates and seeks a job. "Anything unknown freaks people out or scares people," he said. And there's a lot that's unknown about Zika. The virus isn't a new one -- it was first identified in 1947 in rhesus monkeys in Uganda -- but a Zika outbreak that began last year in Brazil sparked new alarm, especially given a possible link between the virus and a rare, serious birth defect called microcephaly. Images of wailing babies with tiny heads have dominated media coverage of Zika, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that pregnant women and their male partners avoid traveling to areas with active Zika transmission and take precautions against mosquito bites. The World Health Organization has declared Zika and its suspected ties to birth defects an international public-health emergency. For many, though, Zika might be no worse than the average bout of flu. Four in 5 people infected with Zika won't show a single sign of the virus. It's rare for someone to be hospitalized for Zika, and even more rare that someone will die. So far, Zika has made it to the United States through travelers bitten by mosquitoes in the Caribbean and Central and South America. There have been more than 50 confirmed cases in at least 16 states, including four in Ohio that the state health department announced last week. While there are no known cases of Zika transmitted by mosquitoes within the continental United States, health experts say it's only a matter of time before infected mosquitoes are here. It's hard to know when to panic. Or when not to. The nursing student's story might offer some comfort, or it might do the opposite. "I personally don't think there's anything to be afraid of or fear," he said. "But I can't speak for long-term effects. There's still a lot that we don't know." He had never left the country before his January trip to Haiti. It was part of his nursing program requirement to immerse himself in a different culture. He flew there Jan. 1 and spent nearly a week with classmates observing and working in clinics near Port-au-Prince. It was a good experience, if not exactly enjoyable. He spent most of his time without working electricity and slept near a window through which mosquitoes paid him nightly visits. Roosters woke him in the morning. He flew home Jan. 7 and thought he might be coming down with a cold. Three days later, his symptoms grew more severe -- the headache and the fever. "I didn't think it would be anything too serious at that point," he said. He was in class Jan. 12 when he saw the rash on his hands. Back in his room, he noticed faint pink spotting on his neck and chest, too. By the end of the day, the rash covered his body. It itched like poison ivy. His fingers were so swollen that it hurt to make a fist. Alarmed, he drove from his school in northeastern Ohio to Columbus and checked into the emergency department at Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center. Doctors there weren't sure what was wrong with him and kept him overnight for observation. They drew some blood for a Zika test and told him that his symptoms likely would go away. "They gave me some medication to stop the itching," he said. "But that was pretty much all they could do for me." He returned to school, and by Jan. 16, the rash was gone. Almost two weeks ago, he got a phone call confirming that he had, indeed, tested positive for Zika. On Feb. 9, the Ohio Department of Health reported his case hours after announcing that a 30-year-old woman in Cleveland also had tested positive. The state added two more cases Feb. 12, including a 60-year-old Licking County man returning from Haiti. The nursing student has no lingering health effects, though there has been some question about whether and when it was safe for him to return to working with patients. And though Zika has been reported to be transmitted by sex -- something doctors never told him -- his long-term girlfriend has shown no symptoms. (The CDC didn't issue guidelines on sex and Zika until Feb. 5, after a confirmed case of a sexual transmission of the virus in Texas.) Ultimately, for him it was pretty simple: He was sick and then he got better. "I don't really feel like it's something that people should be spending all of their time worrying about," he said. "Honestly, I'm happy that it was Zika and not something worse." @LoriKurtzman http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/lickingcounty/news/2016/02/19/student-with-local-ties-had-zika.html

First case of the Zika virus confirmed in Washington stateBY RICHARD D. OXLEY, MyNorthwest.com Writer | February 22, 2016 @ 5:43 pmAedes aegypti mosquitoes float in a mosquito cage at a laboratory in Cucuta, Colombia. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the vector that transmits the Zika virus, and also dengue and chikunguna. (AP) Comments Share Tweet Share ShareThe first documented case of the Zika virus has been confirmed in Washington state. Officials with the Washington State Department of Health announced Monday that a Mason County man tested positive for the virus at a Thurston County hospital. The virus is initially spread through mosquitos. So far, the majority of Zika cases the continental United States have been among people who have traveled to areas elsewhere in the world and have returned to the states infected with it, according to theCenter for Disease Control. There have been some cases, however, where the virus was spread through sexual contact. The virus has most often been found in Africa and South Pacific countries, but recently is was discovered in South America as well. The Mason County man, in his 20s, recently visited the South Pacific where he caught the virus. "Because many people travel to and from places where Zika is spreading, we've been expecting to have imported cases of Zika virus disease," said Dr. Scott Lindquist, State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases for the Department of Health. "While the Zika virus is of greatest risk to pregnant women, it is understandably concerning to many of us. The good news is this virus spreads through the bite of a type of mosquito we don't have in Washington state, so it is very unlikely that this virus would spread widely here." The Zika virus is more often a mild sickness for those infected. The greatest concern is for pregnant women as the virus can cause severe birth defects. http://mynorthwest.com/11/2918675/First-case-of-the-Zika-virus-officially-found-in-Washington-state

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News ReleaseFor immediate release: February 22, 2016 (16-016) Contacts: Julie Graham, Strategic Communications Office 360-236-4078 Sharon Moysiuk, Strategic Communications Office 360-236-4074 First Case of Zika Virus Disease Reported in WashingtonHealth officials urge heightened disease prevention awareness among travelers OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health received confirmation today from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that a Mason County man in his 20’s, who visited a Thurston County hospital, is the first person in the state to test positive for Zika virus. The person recently traveled to the South Pacific before returning to Washington. People who’ve returned from Zika-affected areas who are pregnant or having symptoms of Zika illness should contact their healthcare provider. “Because many people travel to and from places where Zika is spreading, we’ve been expecting to have imported cases of Zika virus disease,” said Dr. Scott Lindquist, State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases for the Department of Health. “While the Zika virus is of greatest risk to pregnant women, it is understandably concerning to many of us. The good news is this virus spreads through the bite of a type of mosquito we don’t have in Washington state, so it is very unlikely that this virus would spread widely here.” There is no vaccine to prevent Zika virus disease and no specific medical treatment for people who are infected. Heath officials urge anyone considering traveling to countries where the virus is circulating to be aware of the need to protect themselves and others from mosquito bites. Pregnant women are encouraged to delay their travel, if possible, and to take mosquito bite prevention very seriously if they must travel to an area where mosquito-borne diseases are circulating. The mosquitoes that transmit Zika virus are daytime biters, so it is important to apply prevention measures throughout the day as well as during the evening hours. Zika virus is almost always a very mild illness. About 80 percent of those infected never show symptoms of the disease, while about 1 in 5 people will have only mild symptoms, including fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes that last a few days to a week. There have been increased reports of cases of newborn microcephaly and other negative, pregnancy-related health outcomes possibly associated with Zika virus infections during pregnancy. Microcephaly is a condition where the head is smaller than normal and may lead to a child experiencing a variety of other health challenges including physical and speech functions, seizure, hyperactivity, coordination problems and other brain/neurological disorders. Health officials advise women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant to consider delaying travel or to be especially careful in avoiding mosquito bites in Zika-affected areas. Across the U.S. thousands of college students, members of faith organizations, healthcare professionals and others are now planning spring trips to warmer locations for fun or charity work. Travel can be a safe, healthy, and enjoyable activity, but it’s important to protect yourself and your family while traveling. Avoid diseases spread by mosquitoes by making prevention an essential part of planning for a trip. The list of Zika-affected areas includes many countries in the Caribbean and South and Central America. The list changes frequently; but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention keep an updated list on their Website. The Washington State Department of Health recommends travelers protect themselves against mosquito bites by: Applying EPA-registered insect repellants to skin following label instructions.Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants and closed shoes or boots instead of sandals. Using bed nets in remote locations lacking window screens and/or air conditioning. These should reach the floor or be tucked under the mattress.Avoiding perfumes, colognes and products with fragrances that might attract mosquitoes.Using clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear that contain permethrin. Permethrin-treated clothing repels and kills mosquitoes and other pests and retains this effect after repeated washing. Some clothing is available pretreated with permethrin; Permethrin should not be used directly on skin.While public health and medical professionals know a lot about many mosquito-borne diseases, there is still much that is not yet known about Zika virus disease, including its transmission through sex, blood, and other avenues. The department of health is tracking the virus and has updated information on its Zika virus webpage. The Department of Health website (doh.wa.gov) is your source for a healthy dose of information. Also, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The Washington State Department of Health received confirmation today from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that a Mason County man in his 20’s, who visited a Thurston County hospital, is the first person in the state to test positive for Zika virus. The person recently traveled to the South Pacific before returning to Washington. http://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/2016NewsReleases/16016ZikaFirstCaseNewsRelease

Zika virus infection is a mosquito-borne arboviral disease transmitted to humans by the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and A. albopictusmosquitoes. The first human case of Zika virus occurred in 1954, and since then, there have been outbreaks in many areas of Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. It has recently spread to Central and South America and the Caribbean. Locally mosquito-transmitted Zika virus has not been reported in the continental United States so far, and reported U.S. cases are associated with travel to a high-risk area. Currently there has been no report of Zika virus infections in Wisconsin travelers. The Aedes species of mosquitoes that can transmit Zika virus is not yet found in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Zika Tally Page https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/arboviral/zika.htm

Zika virus disease is transmitted to people by the bite of infected Aedes species mosquitoes. These mosquitoes also transmit chikungunya and dengue; the symptoms are also similar. Only 1 in 5 people become ill from infection with Zika virus. Fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (redness of the eyes) are the most common symptoms, usually lasting for several days to a week. Muscle pain and headache may also occur. Hospitalization and death are not usually associated with infection. Currently, infection with Zika virus is associated with travel to countries where cases are being reported (e.g. countries in Africa, the Americans, and Oceania). No cases have been reported in West Virginia.

West Virginia Zika Tally Page http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/oeps/disease/zoonosis/mosquito/documents/zika/zika-main.html

Washington StateWashington State does not have the type of mosquito (Aedes species) that carries Zika virus. There are no confirmed cases of Zika in Washington State, and currently no risk for local transmission through mosquitoes. However, it is likely that some travelers will come to Washington with Zika.

Washington Zika Tally Page http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/ZikaVirus

Zika Virus – Feb. 22, 2016 Texas has 13 cases of Zika virus disease. 12 are travelers who were infected abroad and diagnosed after they returned home. One case involves a Dallas County resident who had sexual contact with someone who acquired the Zika infection while traveling abroad. Case counts by county: Bexar County – 3Dallas County – 2Harris County – 7Travis County - 1

Texas Zika Tally Page http://www.texaszika.org/ http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/updates.shtm

ZIKA VIRUSThe Aedes aegypti mosquito that transmits the Zika virus is found throughout the tropics and subtropics – it has never been found as far north as South Dakota. To date South Dakota has reported no cases of Zika virus infection.

South Dakota Zika Tally Page https://doh.sd.gov/diseases/Zika.aspx

Zika Virus InformationAs of February 19, 2016 there are no confirmed cases of Zika virus in South Carolina.

South Carolina Zika Tally Page http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/DiseasesandConditions/InfectiousDiseases/InsectAnimalBorne/ZikaVirus/

Zika in North Dakota There have been 0 travel-associated Zika virus disease cases identified in North Dakota

North Dakota Zika Tally Page https://www.ndhealth.gov/disease/zika/