​First Alabama resident confirmed with Zika virus

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NEWS RELEASE
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
RSA Tower 201 Monroe Street, Suite 914 Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone 334-206-5300 Fax 334-206-5520
www.adph.org

First Alabama resident confirmed with Zika virus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Jim McVay, Dr.P.A.
(334) 206-5600

The Alabama Department of Public Health reports the first confirmed travel-related case of Zika
virus in an Alabama resident. The positive specimen was from a resident of Morgan County.
Tests are being conducted from Alabama resident specimens with a travel history to areas
where Zika virus outbreaks are ongoing. In addition to the one positive, there has been one
negative result and four test results are pending.

?We knew it was only a matter of time before we would have the first positive case of an
individual in Alabama with Zika virus,? Acting State Health Officer Dr. Tom Miller said. ?Given
the frequency of international travel to affected areas, we anticipate having additional positive
cases. We are working with the medical community to identify high-risk individuals.?

Zika virus is transmitted primarily through the bites of Aedes species mosquitoes. These
mosquitoes are the same species that transmit dengue and chikungunya viruses which have
also been associated with travel-related illness over the past few years. There have been recent
reports that Zika virus may also be spread through blood transfusion and sexual contact. Rarely,
the virus may spread from mother to infant around the time of birth. It also may be possible to
spread the virus from a mother to her baby during pregnancy.

Infection with the Zika virus causes only mild symptoms in the majority of the cases, but an
apparent link to birth defects and other pregnancy-related poor outcomes has been associated
with infection during pregnancy. In response to concern about the Zika virus, state agencies and
other key stakeholders have been alerted.

?We are focusing on pregnant women and women in the reproductive age range who may
become pregnant,? Dr. Miller said. All pregnant women with a history of travel to an area with
Zika virus transmission should be evaluated. Pregnant women reporting clinical illness
consistent with Zika virus disease during or within 2 weeks of travel should be tested for Zika
virus infection. In addition, asymptomatic pregnant women who have traveled to Zika-affected
areas should be tested for the Zika-virus between 2-12 weeks post travel.
...

http://www.adph.org/news/assets/160210.pdf

 

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Alabama - Two additional residents confirmed with Zika virus - travel-related

ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
RSA Tower 201 Monroe Street, Suite 914 Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone 334-206-5300 Fax 334-206-5520
www.adph.org

Two additional Alabama residents confirmed with Zika virus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Jim McVay
(334) 206-5600

The Alabama Department of Public Health reports the second and third confirmed travel-related
cases of Zika virus in Alabama residents. The positive specimens were from residents of
Jefferson and Shelby counties. On Feb. 10, it was announced that a resident of Morgan County
with a history of travel to a Zika-affected area was confirmed to have the Zika virus.

Specimens are being submitted for testing on Alabama residents with a travel history to areas
where Zika virus outbreaks are ongoing. In addition to the 3 positives, there have been 40 other
submissions received with 28 test results pending as of today. As of March 9, there have been
no locally acquired vector-borne cases reported in the U.S.; all 193 cases nationally have been
associated with travel to Zika-affected areas.

Acting State Health Officer Dr. Tom Miller said, ?We continue to work with the medical
community to identify high-risk individuals. We also caution travelers to be aware of the threat of
mosquito-borne illnesses and to take appropriate bite protection measures.?

Zika virus is transmitted primarily through the bites of Aedes species mosquitoes. These
mosquitoes are the same species that transmit dengue and chikungunya viruses which have
also been associated with travel-related illness over the past few years. There have been recent
reports that Zika virus may also be spread through blood transfusion and sexual contact. Rarely,
the virus may spread from mother to infant around the time of birth. It also may be possible to
spread the virus from a mother to her baby during pregnancy.

Infection with the Zika virus causes only mild symptoms in the majority of the cases, but an
apparent link to birth defects and other pregnancy-related poor outcomes has been associated
with infection during pregnancy. In response to concern about the Zika virus, state agencies and
other key stakeholders have been alerted.

?We are focusing on pregnant women and women in the reproductive age range who may
become pregnant,? Dr. Miller said. All pregnant women with a history of travel to an area with
Zika virus transmission should be evaluated. Pregnant women reporting clinical illness
consistent with Zika virus disease during or within 2 weeks of travel should be tested for Zika
virus infection. In addition, asymptomatic pregnant women who have traveled to Zika-affected
areas should be tested for the Zika-virus between 2-12 weeks post travel.
...

http://www.adph.org/news/assets/160315.pdf

 

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Alabama - ​UAB doctor has strong warning on Zika: 'This is coming'

UAB doctor has strong warning on Zika: 'This is coming'

Thursday, May 26th 2016, 6:05 pm CDT
By WBRC Staff

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) -
A UAB pediatrician says the Zika virus is coming, it's an epidemic and we can't stop it.

Dr. Sergio Stagno, Chair Emeritus of the Department of Pediatrics at UAB and Children's of Alabama spoke about the Zika virus at Children?s on Thursday.

Stagno calls Zika an infection with dire consequences and he warns that everyone needs to take all the precautions they can, including wearing repellent, long sleeves, and staying indoors at peak times, getting rid of standing water.
...

http://www.wtoc.com/story/32077304/uab-doctor-has-strong-warning-on-zika-this-is-coming

 

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Alabama - Mosquito bite and other protection measures urged as two additional Zika cases reported in Alabama residents

NEWS RELEASE
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
RSA Tower 201 Monroe Street, Suite 914 Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone 334-206-5300 Fax 334-206-5520
www.adph.org

Mosquito bite and other protection measures urged as two additional Zika cases
reported in Alabama residents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Jim McVay, Dr.P.A.
(334) 206-5600

The Alabama Department of Public Health reports the fourth and fifth travel-related cases of the
Zika virus in Alabama residents. The positive specimens were from residents of Houston and
Jefferson counties. In February and March, Zika cases were reported in residents of Morgan,
Jefferson and Shelby counties.

State Health Officer Dr. Tom Miller said, ?We will implement enhanced surveillance with these
two cases. The Department?s Bureau of Clinical Laboratories in Montgomery can now perform
Zika testing, so we have a greater opportunity to prevent transmission of the disease because
test results are received much faster. We continue to work with the medical community to
identify high-risk individuals.?

Enhanced surveillance means that the individuals with Zika will be asked to provide the names
of their household and sexual contacts. In turn, these contacts will be asked if they have Zika
symptoms. These persons will be asked to use insect repellents to prevent mosquito bites that
could lead to possible disease transmission.

Zika virus is transmitted primarily through the bites of Aedes species mosquitoes. These
mosquito species are the same ones that transmit dengue and chikungunya viruses which have
also been associated with travel-related illness over the past few years. Zika virus is also spread
through blood transfusion and sexual contact.

Infection with the Zika virus causes only mild symptoms in the majority of the cases, but it is
now known to cause birth defects and other poor pregnancy-related outcomes if infection occurs
during pregnancy.

All pregnant women with a history of travel to an area with Zika virus transmission should be
evaluated. Pregnant women reporting clinical illness consistent with Zika virus disease during or
within 2 weeks of travel should be tested for Zika virus infection. In addition, pregnant women
without any symptoms who have traveled to Zika-affected areas should be tested for the Zikavirus
between 2-12 weeks post travel.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations include the following:
? Pregnant women should not travel to Zika-affected areas.
? Men who have traveled to Zika-affected areas and have pregnant partners should abstain from
sex or consistently and correctly use condoms for the duration of the pregnancy for all forms of
sexual activity.
? Women diagnosed with Zika should wait eight weeks after symptoms start to attempt
conception. If a man has been diagnosed with Zika, the couple should wait at least six months
after symptoms begin before attempting conception
The Aedes mosquitoes are very aggressive biters and active during the day, though they can
also bite at night. ADPH advises the public to be aware of the risks posed by the Zika virus and
to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites, including the following:
? Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
? Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or
IR3535 as directed.
? Stay and sleep in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms.

To help the public keep track of the status of Zika within the state, ADPH updates include total
numbers of cases at adph.org, search Zika.

http://www.adph.org/news/assets/160527.pdf

 

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"Confirmed cases" of Zika virus on the University of Alabama campus

"Confirmed cases" of Zika virus at the University

BY ELIZABETH ELKIN | Published 1 hour ago | Updated 38 minutes ago |

There are "confirmed cases" of Zika virus on the University of Alabama campus, according to an email sent to UA students and faculty involved in study abroad programs in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America or South America.

The email, sent on June 10 by Carolina Robinson, director of Education Abroad, recommended that students who went abroad to these countries get tested for the virus.
...

http://www.cw.ua.edu/article/2016/06/confirmed-cases-of-zika-virus-on-ua-campus

 

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University of Alabama student tests positive for Zika

on June 13, 2016 at 2:22 PM, updated June 13, 2016 at 2:33 PM

A University of Alabama student who recently studied abroad has tested positive for Zika virus, according to a spokesman for the school.

"Federal privacy laws prevent us from commenting on the student's condition; however, in the majority of Zika cases, individuals make a full recovery within a week," wrote University of Alabama spokesman Chris Bryant in an email.

The school was notified Friday that the student had tested positive for Zika virus, Bryant wrote. It is the state's sixth case of Zika virus, and all have been related to travel to affected areas.
...

http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2016/06/sixth_alabama_zika_case_confir.html

 

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Twenty-five Alabama residents confirmed to have the Zika virus: all positives related to travel

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ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
RSA Tower 201 Monroe Street, Suite 914 Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone 334-206-5300 Fax 334-206-5520
www.adph.org

Twenty-five Alabama residents confirmed to have the Zika virus: all positives related to
travel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Jim McVay
(334) 206-5600

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) reports there have been a total of 25 travelrelated
positive tests for the Zika virus in state residents from 16 counties as of 8 a.m. August
15. Counties where there have been Zika positives include Calhoun, Cullman, Etowah,
Houston, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lee, Limestone, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery, Morgan, Shelby,
St. Clair, Talladega and Tuscaloosa.

State Health Officer Dr. Tom Miller said, ?We have been working with a variety of partners,
including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the medical community, to
identify individuals who need to be tested for the Zika virus and with those who have tested
positive. Additional precautions are needed for pregnant women and women of childbearing
age. Public health environmentalists have been helping communities reduce mosquito breeding
grounds around their homes and communities.?

Dr. Bernard Eichold, Mobile County health officer, said, ?Persons should exercise caution and
follow Alabama Department of Public Health recommendations regarding Zika.?

Zika virus is transmitted primarily through the bites of Aedes species mosquitoes and through
sexual activity. Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called
microcephaly that is a sign of incomplete brain development. Doctors have also found other
problems in pregnancies and among fetuses and infants infected with Zika virus before birth.

There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika. People infected with the Zika virus may have no
symptoms--it causes only mild symptoms in one out of five people. People usually do not get
sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people
might not realize they have been infected.
...

 

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Alabama - Second travel-related case of Zika virus reported in Mobile County

August 29, 2016

Second travel-related case of Zika virus reported in Mobile County

MOBILE, Alabama ? The Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) is reporting that a second
travel-associated positive test for the Zika virus has been recorded. The patient contracted Zika while
traveling in the Caribbean.

As of last Thursday, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) reports there have been a total
of 29 travel-associated positive tests for the Zika or Flavivirus (unspecified but likely Zika) among the
241 state residents who have been tested. The number of counties affected has reached 17, with Marshall
County now on the list.
...

Second travel-related case of Zika virus reported in Mo ...

 

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Alabama - ​Zika virus travel-related case confirmed in the city of Arab - Total 32

Zika virus case confirmed in Arab resident

Patrick Ary pary@waaytv.com Updated 32 min ago 0
...
Dr. Scott Harris with the Alabama Department of Health said they believe the woman contracted the virus while she was traveling in the Caribbean.

There are 32 confirmed cases of Zika in Alabama, Harris said. All of them were contracted during travel.
...

http://www.waaytv.com/appnews/zika-...cle_efaa27f0-744b-11e6-b296-3f37b523e049.html