Pennsylvania Suspect Zika Cases Increase To 14

[niman]

Pennsylvania weekly update increases pending cases to 14 after 5 test negative.

 

http://www.health.pa.gov/My Health/Diseases and Conditions/U-Z/Pages/Zika.aspx#.VrkG1bIrK6p

[niman]

 

ZIKA VIRUS

Updated 2/8/16

 

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 Guillian-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.

LINKS

General Information:

• Additional information on Zika:
  • English
  • Spanish

Pregnant Women:

• Interim Guidelines for Pregnant Women During a Zika Virus Outbreak
• Zika and Pregnancy

Health Care Providers:

• Clinical Evaluation and Disease
• Diagnostic Testing

Obstetrical Health Care Providers:

• Interim Guidelines for Pregnant Women During a Zika Virus Outbreak
• Q&A for Obstetrical Health Care Providers: Pregnant Women and Zika Virus Infection
  • In Spanish

Pediatric Health Care Providers

• Interim Guidelines for the Evaluation and Testing of Infants with Possible Congenital Zika Virus Infections
• Q&A for Pediatric Health Care Providers: Infants and Zika Virus Infection

 

 

[niman]

5 people in PA test negative for Zika virus, 14 tests pending

 

 

BY BEN SCHMITT  | Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, 5:42 p.m.

 

Email Newsletters

Sign up for one of our email newsletters.

Updated 6 hours ago

5 in Pa. test negative

Five Pennsylvania residents have tested negative for the Zika virus, and 14 test results for others are pending, the state Department of Health said Monday.

The Health Department announced last week that it intends to release local updates every Monday. No locally transmitted Zika cases have been reported in the United States. The illness has been reported in travelers returning from affected countries.

The Pennsylvania residents in question recently traveled out of the country, health officials said.

The primary mosquito that carries Zika is not found in Pennsylvania, experts said. However, the Asian tiger mosquito, a secondary type of mosquito that can carry the disease, has been found in the state.

There is no cure for the Zika virus, and no vaccine can prevent it. In many cases, symptoms are mild or go unnoticed, experts said. Zika primarily spreads through mosquito bites, and symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.

— Tribune-Review staff writerBen Schmitt

http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/9941363-74/zika-health-mosquito