Connecticut - Department of Public Health confirms first travel-related case of Zika

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DPH: State Health Lab Confirms First Case of Zika in CT

The State Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that the first case of Zika virus in Connecticut has been detected by its State Laboratory. According to DPH, the patient, 60-69 years of age, travelled to a Zika-affected area and had onset of illness on the day of return in early March. The patient?s illness was characterized by skin rash, conjunctivitis, fatigue, chills, headache, and muscle aches. The patient has been seen by a physician and is recovering.

In January, Governor Malloy directed DPH to test for Zika virus. The tests were conducted at the DPH Laboratory, which was approved for and began testing for Zika virus on February 29, 2016. The steps the State took to deliver testing in the DPH Laboratory resulted in expedited results.

?We encourage those concerned about symptoms to consult their doctor, particularly if they have traveled to an affected area and particularly if they are pregnant. We have been actively taking steps for months to prepare for a positive case, including expedited testing and a coordinated response across agencies. While the risk of transmission is low, we are nevertheless no doubt continuing that preparation to the extent that we can,? Governor Malloy said.

?I would urge all residents to avoid travel to affected countries, and if they must, to be vigilant. As we have previously said, a confirmed case was never a question of ?if?, but ?when?. Because of the preparatory steps we?ve taken previously, we are able to test more quickly and in-state,? DPH Commissioner Raul Pino said. ?With hundreds of positive cases nationwide, across 34 states, I encourage residents to be vigilant. We at the state level are monitoring this case ? and preparing for any future cases ? with the utmost diligence.?

To date, 258 cases of Zika have been reported in 34 states and the District of Columbia. Of those, 18 were pregnant women and another six were sexually transmitted. In Connecticut, 198 samples have been received for testing, and 67 results have been received. Today?s result is the first positive test in Connecticut.


Content Last Modified on 3/18/2016 5:03:33 PM

http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?Q=578314&A=4820

 

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DPH laboratory confirms first positive Zika test of a pregnant CT woman

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Geneva]DPH Laboratory Confirms First Positive Zika Test of a Pregnant CT Woman[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Geneva]The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that a pregnant Connecticut woman has tested positive for Zika virus. According to DPH, the patient became ill with a fever and rash while travelling in Central America. It was during this trip that the patient conceived. The patient has since returned to Central America. DPH officials contacted the patient’s Connecticut physician today with the positive result and are working to get in touch with the patient or her family to ensure that she seeks medical care while she is out of the country.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Geneva]The DPH State Laboratory identified Zika specific antibodies in the patient’s blood, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the findings. This level of testing, approved for the State Laboratory by the CDC in April, allows the State Laboratory to test specimens from potentially infected patients who either did not become ill or were ill but tested more than a week after the onset of symptoms. Prior to this approval from the CDC, specimens were sent to the CDC for testing, with an average turnaround of one month or longer for test results.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Geneva]"The State continues to monitor Zika virus very closely — we have been preparing for months both to address positive cases and put measures in place to help prevent mosquito-related transmission of the virus here in Connecticut. As we've said, it wasn't a question of if we would see a case, but when. All of our relevant agencies have been preparing as much as possible with the expectation that we will see more cases this summer. If you have traveled one of the Zika affected areas and are concerned about symptoms, particularly if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, I encourage you to consult your doctor," Governor Malloy said.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Geneva]"We are working with the patient’s physician to ensure that both the physician and the patient have all the necessary information and guidance they need," said DPH Commissioner Raul Pino. "This virus is very dangerous for the babies of pregnant women, causing serious birth defects and miscarriages. It is extremely important for women who plan to become pregnant or who are pregnant to postpone travel to Zika affected areas. If travel cannot be avoided, women must take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites: wear insect repellant and long sleeves and pants, and stay in locations with window and door screens or air conditioning, if possible."[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Geneva]Commissioner Pino also stressed that the male partners of women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant must also take precautions if they travel to Zika affected areas. In order to avoid sexual transmission of the virus to their partner, men who have travelled should follow these guidelines established by the CDC:[/FONT]

• [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Geneva]Men diagnosed with Zika or who had symptoms of Zika should consider using condoms or not having sex for at least 6 months after symptoms begin.[/FONT]
• [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Geneva]Men who have traveled to an area with Zika but did not develop symptoms of Zika should consider using condoms or not having sex for at least 8 weeks after their return.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Geneva]To date, 426 cases of travel-related Zika have been reported in the continental United States. Of those, 36 were pregnant women and eight were sexually transmitted. In Connecticut, 245 patients, including 217 pregnant women, have been tested for Zika virus to date. Today’s result is the third positive test in Connecticut and first for a pregnant woman.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Geneva]Content Last Modified on 5/3/2016 4:34:23 PM[/FONT]

http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?Q=579918&A=4820

 

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Pregnant Connecticut Teen Who Tested Positive for Zika Virus Says She Will Keep Her Baby: 'God Has Given Me a Miracle'

BY TIARE DUNLAP @tiaredunlap 05/06/2016 AT 04:55 PM EDT
...
Mujica and her fianc?, Victor Cruz, 19, learned they were pregnant on March 14 ? just four days after she started exhibiting symptoms of the Zika virus, which has been linked to severe birth defects, including microcephaly.
...
The teen believes she contracted the virus while visiting her fianc? in Choloma, Honduras, where he currently lives.

Upon her return to the U.S. on March 30, she went to a hospital where she was tested for the virus. The test results took more than a month, during which time Mujica flew back to Honduras to be with her fianc?.

Then, on May 2, Mujica's mother received the news that her daughter's Zika test results came back positive.
...

http://www.people.com/article/sara-mujica-pregnant-connecticut-teen-zika-virus-will-keep-her-baby