Tag: Zika

First Case of Zika Virus in W.Va. Pregnant Woman

The first case of Zika virus in a pregnant woman has been reported in West Virginia. The diagnosis brings the state’s total confirmed cases to eight.

State commissioner for public health Rahul Gupta says all eight cases of Zika reported in West Virginia were contracted during travel to countries where the virus is active.  Gupta says the risk of contracting Zika in West Virginia remains low, but residents should be cautious about mosquito bites.

“I think it’s important to understand and keep in perspective that this is a virus, an infection that’s happened in about eight of our residents all of whom have traveled abroad and as a result have acquired the infection,” he said.

Gupta urged caution for women of childbearing age traveling abroad to areas where Zika is endemic. A few tips? Use protection, delay pregnancy until you’ve been back eight or more weeks and protect yourself against bites while you are there with insect repellent and appropriate clothing. Zika in the early stages of pregnancy is known to be associated with birth defects.

The current case is being monitored by the office of Maternal, Child and Family Health through the U.S. Zika Pregnancy registry.  36 people in West Virginia have been tested for the virus so far this year. 

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.

New Cases of Zika in Appalachian States

While West Virginia continues to be free of the Zika virus, the Appalachian states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Alabama and Georgia have all reported cases. The virus is spread through mosquitoes and was first dectected in South America.

Because of the spread of the virus to neighboring states, West Virginia Commissioner of Public Health Rahul Gupta says the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources has alerted healthcare providers, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities to be aware of and prepared for the possibility of the virus appearing in West Virginia.

The majority of people with Zika are asymptomatic. In others, symptoms are mild, but include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.

Gupta stresses, though, that pregnant women should consider postponing travel to areas where the Zika virus is rapidly spreading due to the possible association between the virus and birth defects.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.

Zika Virus Advisories Issued in Appalachian States

West Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina have issued advisories for the Zika virus, urging caution, particularly for pregnant women traveling to areas where the disease is circulating.

According to the Centers for Diease Control and Prevention, 35 cases of Zika virus have been confirmed in the continental United States, only two of which were in Appalachia. However, Zika virus is possibly linked to birth defects in babies born to mothers who contracted the disease while pregnant. Therefore, the CDC has urged caution for pregnant women from any state traveling to regions (such as Brazil and Central America) where the disease is known to originate.

Zika is primarily contracted through mosquito bites – pregnant women can pass the virus on to their fetus; it also can be transmitted from blood transfusions or through sexual contact.

There is no vaccine for Zika virus. However, 80 percent of those who contract the virus don’t show symptoms, according to the Health Advisory from West Virginia’s Bureau for Public Health. Those with symptoms may experience fever, joint pain and a rash. Hospitalization and death due to Zika are rare.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.

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