The first instance of laboratory-confirmed infection with Zika virus in Lexington was recently identified in a Fayette County infant born to a woman who had travelled during pregnancy to an area where the virus is circulating. Test results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that the infant was exposed to the virus in the womb. Although the infant’s mother never described symptoms of illness, antibodies against Zika found in her infant suggest maternal infection during an early stage of the pregnancy. Neither mother nor child is presently capable of spreading the virus to others or to mosquitoes in the area.

 

“The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department strongly advises pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant in the near future to consider cancelling or delaying travel to Zika-affected areas of the world,” said Dr. Kraig Humbaugh, Commissioner of Health. However, “anyone planning to travel to countries where the Zika virus is circulating among mosquitoes should take steps to protect themselves. This includes being knowledgeable about where the virus is spreading, consulting with a healthcare provider, and most importantly, following public health’s recommendations to avoid mosquito bites.”

http://www.lexingtonhealthdepartment.org/

Edited July 24, 201610 yr by niman

Map Update

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&hl=en&authuser=0&authuser=0&mid=1FlIB7hHnVgGD9TlbSx5HwAj-PEQ