Zika infections in pregnant women have been linked to an epidemic of severe birth defects in Brazil, where health officials are tracking more than 4,000 cases of babies born with abnormally small heads and underdeveloped brains.
Advertisement
According to the DPH, the patient is between 60-69 years old and recently traveled to a Zika-affected area. One patient is recovering from a paralyzing condition that has been linked to Zika known as Guillain-Barre syndrome. All the cases are related to travel outside the continental US.
“We have been actively taking steps for months to prepare for a positive case, including expedited testing and a coordinated response across agencies”. I think in CT what we are going to see the most is travelers, and then we have to also be concerned about sexual transmission in the future if we have more cases.
Gov. Susana Martinez was notified of the positive test result Friday, and DOH officials plan to travel to a summit in Atlanta in two weeks to get more training on the disease. The CDC has special precautions for pregnant women or women thinking of becoming pregnant, recommending that they not travel to areas with ongoing Zika virus activity. He reported it to the New Mexico Department of Health.
“It is possible to bring Zika home back into the United States”, said Vinny Taneja, Public Health Director for Tarrant County in north Texas.
The Zika Virus is spread through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. As of March 16, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 258 cases of Zika virus infection.
People who contract the Zika virus usually have no symptoms, but there are some who have reported sustaining fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.
Advertisement
The mosquito-borne virus typically causes a mild illness, but is also now suspected in unusual birth defects and other health problems. “If you have questions about ways to protect yourself and your family, please visit the CDC or Connecticut Department of Public Health websites or call my Hartford office at 860-549-8463”, Murphy said.
