US - Hawaii: CDC confirms baby born in Hawaii with Zika virus and microcephaly, ex-Brazil - January 16, 2016

[Gert van der Hoek]

Jan 16, 2016


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A baby born in an Oahu hospital has tested positive for the Zika virus -- a mosquito-borne infection that can have serious health impacts, health officials announced on Friday. But they say there is no risk of transmission in Hawaii.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the baby carried the virus and said the child's mother likely became infected while living in Brazil in May 2015.

Neither the baby nor the mother are infectious, health officials say.

Since 2014, six people have tested positive for the infection after acquiring it in another country. So far, there has never been a case of Zika acquired in Hawaii.

The virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week.

The news comes as the state grapples with its largest dengue fever outbreak to date. That disease, which is also passed on through mosquitos, is centered on the Big Island of Hawaii.


thanks to Crof

 

[sharon sanders]

Also please see:

Hawaii - DOH confirms 218 cases of locally-acquired dengue fever to date

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Oahu baby with birth defect was infected with Zika virus

Published: January 15, 2016

The Hawaii State Department of Health has received laboratory confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of a past Zika virus infection in a baby recently born with microcephaly in a hospital on Oahu.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, ?microcephaly is a medical condition in which the circumference of the head is smaller than normal because the brain has not developed properly or has stopped growing.?

Officials say the mother likely had Zika infection when she was residing in Brazil in May 2015 and her newborn acquired the infection in the womb.

READ MORE


thanks to Crof

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Hawaii Baby With Brain Damage Is First U.S. Case Tied to Zika Virus

By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr.

JAN. 16, 2016

The first case of brain damage linked to the Zika virus within the United States was reported on Friday in Hawaii.
The Hawaii State Department of Health said that a baby born in an Oahu hospital with microcephaly — an unusually small head and brain — had been infected with the Zika virus, which is believed to have caused the same damage in thousands of babies in Brazil in recent months. The presence of the virus was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The child’s mother had lived in Brazil in May last year and probably was infected by a mosquito then, early in her pregnancy, the health department said. The virus presumably reached the embryo and damaged its developing brain.

LINK TO FULL ARTICLE

 

[Pathfinder]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
D A V I D Y . I G E
G O V E R N O R
V I R G I N I A P R E S S L E R , M D
D I R E C T O R
NEWS RELEASE
Jan. 15, 2016 16-003

HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RECEIVES CONFIRMATION OF ZIKA
INFECTION IN BABY BORN WITH MICROCEPHALY

HONOLULU -- The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) has received laboratory
confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of a past Zika
virus infection in a baby recently born with microcephaly in a hospital on Oahu. The mother
likely had Zika infection when she was residing in Brazil in May 2015 and her newborn acquired
the infection in the womb. Neither the baby nor the mother are infectious, and there was never a
risk of transmission in Hawaii.

?We are saddened by the events that have affected this mother and her newborn,? said DOH
State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park. ?This case further emphasizes the importance of the CDC
travel recommendations released today. Mosquitos can carry serious diseases, as we know too
well with our current dengue outbreak and it is imperative that we all Fight the Bite by reducing
mosquito breeding areas, avoiding places with mosquitos, and applying repellant as needed.?

To date, there have been no cases of Zika virus acquired in Hawaii. Since 2014, the department
has identified six persons in the state who acquired their infection in another country. Physicians
are required to report all suspected cases of Zika virus and more than 75 other reportable
diseases in the state. Physician reporting is crucial to conducting an effective disease
surveillance program in Hawaii.

?In this situation, an astute Hawaii physician recognized the possible role of Zika virus infection,
immediately notified the Department of Health, and worked with us to confirm the suspected
diagnosis,? said Dr. Park. ?We rely on our exceptional medical community to be our eyes and
ears in the field to control and prevent the spread of illness in Hawaii.?

The department sent a Medical Advisory to physicians statewide today as a reminder that while
Zika virus is not endemic in the U.S., it can be acquired in a number of countries and travel
history should always be considered.

Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of Zika
virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild
with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is
uncommon. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika.

For more information on Zika virus go to http://www.cdc.gov/zika/ and for CDC travel
recommendations, go to http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices .


http://health.hawaii.gov/news/files...-INFECTION-IN-BABY-BORN-WITH-MICROCEPHALY.pdf

 

[Pathfinder]

Hawaii baby born with small head had prior Zika infection

Ben Brumfield-Profile-Image
By Ben Brumfield, CNN

Updated 10:45 AM ET, Mon January 18, 2016 | Video Source: CNN

(CNN)A Hawaii newborn born with microcephaly, an unusually small head, had been infected with the Zika virus. The case could be the first one reported in the United States linking the birth defect with the virus.
...
"That's a pandemic in progress," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "It isn't as if it's turning around and dying out, it's getting worse and worse as the days go by."

http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/17/health/hawaii-zika-baby-microcephaly/

 

[Pathfinder]

Hawaii - 1st imported Zika case this year confirmed

1st imported Zika case this year confirmed in Hawaii

Posted: Mar 03, 2016 6:07 PM CST
Updated: Mar 03, 2016 6:21 PM CST
By Clayton WakidaCONNECT

HONOLULU -

The Hawaii State Department of Health has confirmed the first imported case of Zika in Hawaii this year.

Health officials say the individual had a history of travel in the Pacific and has since recovered and is no longer infectious. The case was confirmed this week by the department?s State Laboratories Division.

The department conducted an investigation of the case and has determined there is no health risk to the public. To protect the privacy of the individual, no other information will be made available about the case.

"Because people frequently travel to areas abroad where Zika virus is present, we can expect that we may see more imported cases in the coming months," ...

http://www.kitv.com/story/31381742/1st-imported-zika-case-this-year-confirmed

 

[Pathfinder]

Hawaii Department of Health confirms second travel-related case of Zika

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
D A V I D Y . I G E
G O V E R N O R
V I R G I N I A P R E S S L E R , M D
D I R E C T O R
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 21, 2016 16-017

HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONFIRMS ANOTHER CASE
OF TRAVEL-RELATED ZIKA IN THE STATE

HONOLULU ? The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) is investigating another imported
case of Zika virus in Hawaii. This is the second case of Zika to be confirmed this year by the
department?s State Laboratories Division. The Kauai resident has a history of recent travel to
Latin America and may still be infectious. The individual has been advised to keep indoors and
stay protected from mosquitoes. No additional information will be made available about this
case to respect the privacy of the individual.

A Vector Control team will visit the individual?s residence to survey the area for mosquitoes and
determine if there is a need to treat the area to reduce any mosquito breeding sites. DOH is
coordinating closely with its county partners to assure a targeted and efficient response.

?As Zika continues to spread in multiple regions across the world, we anticipate that we will
experience an increase in imported cases and must take precautionary measures to reduce our
risk for an outbreak in Hawaii,? said Health Director Dr. Virginia Pressler. ?There are several
simple steps that we can take as a community to accomplish this, such as getting rid of standing
water around our homes to reduce mosquito breeding sites and using repellant or protective
clothing to prevent mosquito bites. It is crucial that we keep these practices top-of-mind as we
prepare for travel in and out of the state, especially to areas that may be affected by Zika and
other mosquito-borne illnesses.?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends special precautions for women
who are pregnant or may become pregnant. Pregnant women should not travel to areas with
Zika. If travel cannot be avoided, women should consult with their healthcare providers first and
vigilantly follow steps to protect themselves from mosquitoes.

...
http://health.hawaii.gov/news/files...-Case-of-Travel-Related-Zika-in-the-State.pdf