Three pregnant women are now among 46 confirmed cases of Zika virus across the state, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. In June, the Pentagon said at least 11 US troops had become infected with Zika in countries where the virus is transmitted. Men can spread the virus during sex and pregnant women can pass Zika to fetuses or to babies around the time they’re born, according to the CDC.
Advertisement
“We are aware of this fourth case of zika and are taking all the necessary precautions to stop the local transmission of the virus”, said MRCU director Dr Bill Petrie.
Neither the babies nor their mothers have yet been identified. Of those infected, 55 were pregnant women. They have been asked to remain extra cautious.
The CDC issued an unprecedented travel warning Monday, advising pregnant women and their partners not to travel to a small community just north of downtown Miami, where Zika is actively circulating.
There are now a total of 46 cases of Zika virus in IL.
A mosquito carrying West Nile has been found in Winnebago County, but there have been no human cases reported.
Dr. DiFerdinando said the vast majority of people infected with Zika do not even know they have it.
47 of those cases occurred in Los Angeles and San Diego counties. Now, in 2016, the virus has spread to throughout several countries, including Argentina, Canada, Chile, France, Italy, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, and the US during this outbreak.
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness that is characterized by a fever, rash and joint pain.
The patient is not pregnant, and the Snohomish Health District is working closely with her health care provider to ensure that she follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Advertisement
The primary means of transmission of Zika is through the bite of an infected mosquito. There have been 24 cases of Zika infection in the county, all involving people who traveled to areas affected by Zika, primarily Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.
