Nationally, the Spain Health Ministry (computer translated) has recorded 105 confirmed cases of Zika virus infection, all in people from or who had visited affected countries, so it is imported cases.
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The woman, whose case was diagnosed in Catalonia, northeastern Spain, says she wants to keep the child. Microcephaly isn’t associated with other mosquito-borne bugs, which aren’t known to cause birth defects. And doctors in Brazil are also suspecting that the Zika virus is responsible for cases of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), a temporary disorder similar to multiple sclerosis, where the protective myelin sheath surrounding neurons in the brain and spinal cord is damaged.
The woman is reported to be 20 weeks pregnant and was infected with the virus during a trip to Latin America.
So far, Tennessee has had only two confirmed cases of Zika virus in which the person caught the disease overseas and carried it back.
Dr. Raul Pino, commissioner of Public Health, said they will provide fliers to travelers leaving CT for the island and fliers for those who return.
There is no vaccine or treatment for the virus, which in most people causes only mild symptoms, such as a rash, joint pain or fever.
Pregnant women or women who plan to become pregnant shouldn’t travel to Zika-infested areas, Honein said. The mosquitoes that carry Zika bite during the day and night.
“Zika is not a very severe disease for most of us but we need take on the collective responsibility for our community”, Dr. Danny Avula, Director, Richmond City Health District, said. CT is certified to test for the Zika virus.
If the virus spreads to the United States, cases of microcephaly could increase, Honein said.
Now the virus could affect more people than first thought.
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The bacteria has been released in several countries including Australia, Brazil, Indonesia and Vietnam as part of strategies to control dengue, and the new finding shows the method also works with Zika, a close relative of dengue. So far, it’s swept though South and Central America, into Mexico and across the Caribbean. If you must travel to one of these areas, talk to your healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip.
