To date, all other Zika cases in the continental US have been travel-related; however, officials have said that with mosquito season now started, there could be some locally transmitted cases.
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County health officials said it may not be possible to determine how or whether the Zika infection contributed to the person’s death. Officials will not release more details about her or her travel history due to health privacy laws.
In case the death turns out to have been caused by the virus, it would become the first Zika virus-related death to be reported from the continental United States. Along with Zika, the study will also test for other mosquito viruses like dengue, which will help tell if people are infected but don’t show symptoms.
Pregnant women are the focus of greatest concern because the virus causes birth defects.
Pregnant women and their children are considered to be at greatest risk from the disease.
Dagmar Vitek, left, speaks about a Zika-related death Friday.
The only other known way to acquire Zika virus is through sex, either male-to-male or male-to-female. No transmission of Zika by mosquitoes has been reported as of yet in the continental USA, and Mr. Rupp said none of the mosquitoes that are capable of spreading the virus are circulating in Utah.
To reassure local residents living in the state, the Salt Lake County Health Department went on to add that there is no threat of an infection there. “And that’s because the body doesn’t control the infection well and the infection replicates more and is more severe”.
Two cases of Zika have been confirmed in Shelby County – both involving residents who were infected while traveling to countries most affected by the outbreak. If you are planning to travel to a place where Zika is spreading, there are some important steps you should take during your trip and after you return.
Virtually all cases of Zika diagnosed in the USA were contracted while overseas, although a small number of cases were spread through sexual contact with an infected person. It may also be concerning to family members who will travel to Rio as spectators, particularly pregnant women.
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Only about one in five people get sick from Zika and when they do, symptoms usually include fever, rash, headache, joint pain and conjunctivitis.
