Illinois pregnant women test positive for Zika virus

A travel alert was issued for people heading to several popular destinations due to the spread of the Zika virus. Women who are pregnant are among those at the highest risks associated with the virus as it is associated with birth defects.

Officials say the mother mostly likely acquired the Zika infection when she was in Brazil in May 2015 and the newborn acquired the infection in the womb. Those who were born had small heads, a rare condition known as microcephaly.

“Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite both indoors and outdoors, mostly during the daytime; therefore, it is important to ensure protection from mosquitoes throughout the entire day”, CDC noted. Zika is only the latest epidemic transmitted by Aedes aegypti, a stripe-legged mosquito that also transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and red eye.

Morse adds that it’s not just pregnant women who should be concerned about contracting the virus.

There was an unprecedented spike in reported Zika cases in 2015, with the virus spreading to a host of South American countries that include Brazil, host of upcoming Carnival celebrations and the Summer Olympic Games later this year.

It’s the first case of brain damage linked to the virus in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an advisory, asking pregnant women to avoid travel to Mexico and 13 other countries and territories in Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Melaney Arnold, a spokeswoman for the state department of public health, said the state would not release where in the state the two residents live.

Noting that there is no specific treatment for ZIKV, Dr Harvey says it is critical that pregnant women do everything possible to avoid contracting the virus.

“Health care providers should ask all pregnant women about recent travel”, CDC said.

The other two cases are out of Miami Dade County, where the people had contracted it while traveling to Colombia in December.

There has been a spike in Zika cases in Brazil and a spike in the microcephaly rate there.

When traveling to countries where Zika virus has been reported, all travelers should take steps to prevent mosquito bites, such as using use insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and trousers, and staying in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens.