New Mexico Confirms First Zika Case

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New Mexico health officials say they have confirmed the state's first case of the Zika virus.

Deputy Health Secretary Lynn Gallagher, state epidemiologist Michael Landen and other officials planned to release more details at a news conference Friday evening in Santa Fe.

Read more here: http://www.centredaily.com/news/business/health-care/article66973422.html#storylink=cpy

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/new-mexico-health-officials-confirm-first-case-of-zika-virus/article_ac0f7336-ed5c-11e5-8b2e-271439f806d9.html

 

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Map Update

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Department of Health: 46-year-old New Mexico man tests positive for Zika virus

By Shelby Perea and Candace HopkinsPublished: March 18, 2016, 4:51 pm  Updated: March 18, 2016, 10:37 pm

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SANTA FE (KRQE) – New Mexico Department of Health officials have confirmed the first case of Zika virus in New Mexico.

They say a 46-year-old Bernalillo County man tested positive for the virus infection. Health officials say the man got the virus when traveling to Central America.

“We have anticipated that travel-related cases would be identified in New Mexico,” said Department of Health Deputy Secretary Lynn Gallagher. “We have been working closely with CDC to prepare for Zika cases in New Mexico.”

The infected man returned from El Salvador at the beginning of February. He felt sick and went to his doctor, after experiencing the typical Zika virus symptoms.

“Typically people experience a mild rash, maybe some joint pains, some red eyes, conjunctivitis, and sometimes fever, headache and muscle pain,” said New Mexico Department of Heath Physician Dr. Fermin Arguello.

The man’s doctor suspected he had Zika. He reported it to the New Mexico Department of Health. They sent the man’s blood to Colorado to be tested by the CDC. Those test results just came back as positive.

Officials say the man is doing fine now, but they did caution him about the possibility of spreading the virus through sexual activity. Officials say there is no reason to believe anyone else has been infected.

Because the man contracted the virus in Central America, and no mosquitoes here in New Mexico have tested positive for carrying it, there is no reason for residents to panic.

“The risk for Zika in New Mexico is absolutely minimal. For the people who live here in New Mexico the risk for Zika, exposure and infection, are for those who travel to these areas,” said Dr. Arguello.

Officials say anyone who feels ill and has recently traveled to an infected country should see a doctor.

For healthy adults the virus is not very serious but it has been linked to birth defects and outcomes. Pregnant women have been urged not to travel to infected countries and other precautions are suggested by the CDC. Other travelers have also been warned to proceed with caution when traveling. To learn more about travel restrictions, click here. 

The virus can be transmitted by mosquitoes and through semen.

The CDC reports that as of March 16, there have been 258 cases of Zika virus infection reported in the United States.  Of those 258 travel-associated infections, 18 are in pregnant women and 6 were sexually transmitted.

Department of Health officials and a representative from the governor’s office will travel to Atlanta to meet with CDC officials in April to learn more about the virus and how to handle positive cases.

http://krqe.com/2016/03/18/new-mexico-department-of-health-officials-confirm-the-first-case-of-zika-virus-in-state/