Zika Confirmed In Two Pennsylvania Travelers

niman · February 9, 2016

The Pennsylvania Department of Health today announced the first confirmed cases of Zika virus in two residents who recently traveled to countries affected by the ongoing outbreak of the disease.

The department will not provide additional details about the cases to protect the privacy of the individuals.

http://www.wgal.com/news/2-confirmed-cases-of-zika-virus-in-pennsylvania/37905368?src=app

Edited February 9, 2016 by niman

niman · February 9, 2016

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Harrisburg, Pa. —The Pennsylvania Department of Health today announced the first confirmed cases of Zika virus in two residents who recently traveled to countries affected by the ongoing outbreak of the disease.

The CDC laboratories confirmed the illnesses in two female Pennsylvania residents.

The department will not provide additional details about the cases to protect the privacy of the individuals.

Read more from the state Department of Health below:

“While we are concerned about the health of these individuals and any Pennsylvanian who may be exposed to Zika virus, we want to emphasize that these cases pose no threat to the public,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy. “We will continue to provide updated Zika guidance to health care professionals across the commonwealth to ensure they are aware of the symptoms associated with the disease and the protocols that should be followed to ensure testing of potentially infected individuals, if needed.”
The current Zika outbreak began in May 2015 and is occurring in many countries. Zika is a generally mild illness that is spread primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. In rare cases it has been known to also spread from mother to child, as well as through blood transfusion. Sexual transmission of Zika virus is possible, and men who have traveled to affected areas should take steps to prevent the spread of Zika virus through sexual contact.
Concern about the virus was elevated following reports of increased cases of a serious birth defect known as microcephaly that may be associated with Zika virus infection among pregnant women.
The majority of individuals infected with the Zika virus have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they are usually mild and last for between two and seven days and include:
Fever;
Rash;
Muscle/joint pain;
Conjunctivitis (red eyes); and
Headache.
No vaccine or medications are yet available to prevent or treat Zika virus. Symptoms are treated with plenty of rest, fluids and medicine to relieve fever and pain. Severe illness requiring hospitalization is uncommon, and deaths from Zika virus are rare.
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 first 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.
The best way to prevent Zika is to protect against mosquito bites when traveling to an affected area 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.

niman · February 9, 2016

Map update

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

Edited February 9, 2016 by niman

niman · February 9, 2016

Media > Health Details

02/09/2016

Secretary of Health to Host Media Call Regarding First Positive Cases of Zika Virus Confirmed in Two Pennsylvanians who Traveled to Outbreak-Affected Countries

Harrisburg, PA - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 9, 2016

ADVISORY AND RELEASE – TODAY – Secretary of Health to Host Media Call Regarding First Positive Cases of Zika Virus Confirmed in Two Pennsylvanians who Traveled to Outbreak-Affected Countries

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy will hold a media conference call to discuss the status of the Zika virus in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Health today announced the first confirmed case of Zika virus in a resident who recently traveled to acountry affected by the ongoing outbreak of the disease.

Interested reporters should contact Wes Culp at [email protected] to receive call-in information.

WHAT: Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy will hold a media conference call to discuss the status of the Zika virus in Pennsylvania.

WHEN: Today, Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 5:30 P.M.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health today announced the first confirmed cases of Zika virus in two residents who recently traveled to countriesaffected by the ongoing outbreak of the disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratories confirmed the illnesses in two female Pennsylvania residents. The department will not provide additional details about the cases to protect the privacy of the individuals.

“While we are concerned about the health of these individuals and any Pennsylvanian who may be exposed to Zika virus, we want to emphasize that these cases pose no threat to the public,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy. “We will continue to provide updated Zika guidance to health care professionals across the commonwealth to ensure they are aware of the symptoms associated with the disease and the protocols that should be followed to ensure testing of potentially infected individuals, if needed.”

The current Zika outbreak began in May 2015 and is occurring in many countries. Zika is a generally mild illness that is spread primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. In rare cases it has been known to also spread from mother to child, as well as through blood transfusion. Sexual transmission of Zika virus is possible, and men who have traveled to affected areas should take steps to prevent the spread of Zika virus through sexual contact.

Concern about the virus was elevated following reports of increased cases of a serious birth defect known as microcephaly that may be associated with Zika virus infection among pregnant women.

The majority of individuals infected with the Zika virus have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they are usually mild and last for between two and seven days and include:

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

No vaccine or medications are yet available to prevent or treat Zika virus. Symptoms are treated with plenty of rest, fluids and medicine to relieve fever and pain. Severe illness requiring hospitalization is uncommon, and deaths from Zika virus are rare.

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 first 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.

The best way to prevent Zika is to protect against mosquito bites when traveling to an affected area 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.

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

Visit www.health.pa.gov for more Zika virus information.

MEDIA CONTACT: Amy Worden or Penny Ickes - 717-787-1783

http://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=281

niman · February 9, 2016

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HARRISBURG, Pa. —Two female Pennsylvania residents tested positive for the Zika virus, however they are mild cases and the public is not as risk, Pennsylvania health authorities said on Tuesday.

The two had recently traveled outside the U.S. to places affected by the ongoing outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus, said the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Authorities said the two had fevers and a rash.

Citing privacy concerns, officials provided no other details about the patients, including whether they were pregnant or where they live.

Stay with WTAE.com and download the WTAE mobile app to stay updated with breaking news. (Free in your app store.)

Health Secretary Karen Murphy told reporters her agency was looking ahead to warmer weather, when mosquitoes will be active. The virus is primarily spread through bites from a specific mosquito.

"We're committed to protecting the health of Pennsylvanians and we will be sharing with you what our plans are," Murphy said.

She said the two positive cases are among at least 21 tests from Pennsylvania that have been handled by a federal laboratory.

Many who are infected with the Zika virus do not get sick.

Medical authorities say most people recover in about a week from symptoms -- fever, rash and joint pain -- but health officials are investigating whether there is a link between Zika infections in pregnant women and a rare birth defect called microcephaly, in which babies are born with abnormally small heads.

http://www.wtae.com/news/results-back-for-pennsylvania-zika-virus-tests/37898210

niman · February 10, 2016

Updated: 6:37 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016 | Posted: 3:13 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016

2 Pennsylvania residents test positive for Zika virus, health officials say

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