Zika Cases In Tarrant Co Texas Increase To Three

[niman]

Bill HannaVerified account ‏@fwhanna  14m14 minutes ago

Two new Zika cases in Tarrant County. One traveler went to Puerto RIco; the other to El Salvador. Now 3 total cases in Tarrant County.

[niman]

Map update

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Edited March 9, 2016 by niman

[niman]

Tarrant County Confirms Third Case of Zika Virus; Creates Zika Home Care Kit

Tarrant County creates Zika Home Care Kit for those at risk of exposure

By Frank Heinz

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Tarrant County Public Health Department

The county has created Zika Home Care Kits for those exposed to the virus, released March 9, 2016.

Two more cases of Zika virus have been confirmed in Tarrant County, bringing the total positive cases in the county to three.

Tarrant County Public Health said Wednesday that the cases were imported into the United States after the patients traveled internationally.

•  Dallas Co. Educates About Zika with Door Hangers

The first patient traveled to Puerto Rico while the second traveled to El Salvador. No further information about the patients is expected to be released.

Zika is typically mild with symptoms (fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis) lasting no more than seven days, however it can pose significant threat to a child in utero.

•  Fight Against Zika More Focused Than West Nile

Research released Friday strengthens the case that Zika causes a serious birth defect called microcephaly — babies born with abnormally small heads — by targeting embryonic brain cells. The Zika virus may also be linked to a wider variety of "grave outcomes" for developing babies than previously reported.

The health department reports there have been no cases of Zika virus transmitted inside Tarrant County. There have been four cases of Zika confirmed in Dallas County, one transmitted locally through sexual intercourse, health officials said.

• UPDATEDDallas Co. Confirms Fourth Case of Zika Virus

While sexual transmission of Zika is more common than once thought, the virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites -- so in addition to practicing safe sex, Zika prevention techniques include those used to curb the spread of West Nile virus.

“This is a good reminder to Texans that Zika virus is slowly arriving. It is already changing many of our daily routines, like wearing mosquito repellant when outside whether it’s day or night,” said TCPH Health Director Vinny Taneja.

The county has created Zika Home Care Kits for those exposed to the virus, released March 9, 2016.
Photo credit: Tarrant County Public Health Department

 

Tarrant County's two most recent positive Zika tests were confirmed first through an independent laboratory outside of the region before being validated by labs in Dallas and Tarrant counties.

The Tarrant County health department has created and made available a Zika Home Care Kit for residents being evaluated for Zika. The kit includes mosquito repellant, mosquito dunks, educational materials and other unspecified items.

•  Zika Concerns Grow; Still Few Answers

“We are providing these kits as an education tool to remind residents what they can do to protect themselves and their families from mosquito-borne illnesses," Taneja said.

In Dallas County, health officials are distributing door hangers in several neighborhoods to provide information on how the virus is spread.

•  1st Case of Imported Zika Confirmed in Tarrant County

County residents with questions about the virus can call the health department’s Zika Hotline at 817-248-6299.

With recent heavy rainfall, residents across North Texas are encouraged to remove all standing water to minimize the number of mosquito breeding grounds and to follow the guidelines below.

 

How to Protect Yourself From Mosquito Bites — the 4 Ds

• Dusk and Dawn: Stay inside if possible — mosquitoes are most active during dusk and dawn.
• Dress in long sleeves, pants when outside: For extra protection, spray thin clothing with repellent.
• DEET: Make sure this ingredient is in your insect repellent.
• Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood: Mosquitoes can develop in any water stagnant for more than three days.
• http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/Tarrant-County-Confirms-Third-Case-of-Zika-Virus-Creates-Zika-Home-Care-Kit-371534191.html
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Edited March 9, 2016 by niman