Pennsylvania - Health Department reports fourth confirmed case of Zika in Allegheny County - Virus contracted in an isolated lab incident

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Health Department reports fourth confirmed case of Zika in Allegheny County

Virus Contracted in an Isolated Lab Incident

Published 1:05 PM EDT Jun 09, 2016

PITTSBURGH ?The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) today reported the fourth confirmed case of the Zika virus (Zika) in the county. The person who contracted Zika is a female. This is a unique case in that the individual has not traveled to an affected area, nor was she infected through sexual transmission. She contracted the virus from a needle stick while working with the Zika virus on an experiment in a laboratory. Her symptoms have resolved and she is doing well.


?We want to remind residents that, despite this rare incident, there is still no current risk of contracting Zika from mosquitos in Allegheny County. For those traveling to countries affected by Zika, we urge caution. Pregnant women particularly should avoid travel to affected countries.? said Dr. Karen Hacker, Director of the Allegheny County Health Department.?
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http://www.wtae.com/news/health-department-reports-fourth-confirmed-case-of-zika-in-allegheny-county/39979962

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Source: http://ow.ly/g2ew30162h0

COUNTY OF
Rich Fitzgerald
County Executive
ALLEGHENY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2016
CONTACT: Melissa Wade
Public Health Information Officer
412-578-8312 office
412-339-7995 cell
Melissa.Wade@alleghenycounty.us

Health Department Reports Fourth Confirmed Case of Zika in the County
Virus Contracted in an Isolated Lab Incident

PITTSBURGH ? The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) today reported the fourth
confirmed case of the Zika virus (Zika) in the county.

The person who contracted Zika is a female. This is a unique case in that the individual has not
traveled to an affected area, nor was she infected through sexual transmission. She contracted the
virus from a needle stick while working with the Zika virus on an experiment in a laboratory. Her
symptoms have resolved and she is doing well.

?We want to remind residents that, despite this rare incident, there is still no current risk of contracting
Zika from mosquitos in Allegheny County. For those traveling to countries affected by Zika, we urge
caution. Pregnant women particularly should avoid travel to affected countries.? said Dr. Karen Hacker,
Director of the Allegheny County Health Department.?

The Zika virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, which is
common in warm climates. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and
conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week,
although the majority of persons infected with the virus do not have any symptoms. Zika virus infection
has been linked to fetal malformations. There is no vaccine to prevent, or medicine to treat, Zika virus
infection.

While local mosquito transmission of Zika has not been documented in Allegheny County or
Pennsylvania, residents are still urged to protect themselves from insect borne infections as the
weather gets warmer. Insect repellant containing DEET should be used, and removing standing water
from property can also help to alleviate mosquito breeding.

Ongoing updates on additional confirmed cases will be posted on the Health Department?s website.
Additional resources, including links to the PA Department of Health and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, may also be found on the site. The page also contains information on the
number of residents tested, and the number of confirmed cases of the virus. A total of 109 residents
have been approved for Zika testing to date.

Individuals who have traveled to affected areas who have symptoms of Zika or are pregnant should
contact their primary physician, or may call the Allegheny County Health Department at 412-687-ACHD
(2243).

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Researcher accidentally gives herself Zika

By Debra Goldschmidt, CNN
Updated 10:34 AM ET, Fri June 10, 2016

(CNN)A researcher at the University of Pittsburgh accidentally infected herself with the Zika virus while working in a lab, the university said.

The woman stuck herself with a needle May 23 while conducting an experiment with the virus. Nine days later, she began experiencing symptoms consistent with the virus, including a fever. They subsided, and she returned to work Monday. Two days later, the university received confirmation a test was positive for the mosquito-borne illness.

"On advice of the ACHD (Allegheny County Health Department), the researcher is complying with a request to wear long sleeves and pants and wear insect repellent for three weeks from the date of contact," a university statement said Thursday.
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http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/10/health/zika-needle-stick-emergency-response-teams/