Alabama health officials confirm first case of Zika Virus

This is the first Zika case found in OR in 2016, but across the country 35 Zika cases were confirmed as of February 3, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Brian Lawrence, a spokesman for the health department, declined to say the patient’s age or gender, where in Maryland the patient lives or what the patient’s condition is.

The head of the CDC testified on Capitol Hill Thursday, along with other experts about what the continental United States can expect with the Zika virus and how to protect people.

Ms Hennessy was careful not to identify the “extremely anxious” woman, refusing to share information about her age, how far along in her pregnancy she is and what country she had travelled to. Last May the first confirmed cases were reported in Brazil.

U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, who incidentally was at a hearing today about President Barack Obama’s request for $1.8 billion to fight Zika, said in a statement she’s “deeply concerned” about the spread of the virus.

There have been recent reports that Zika virus may also be spread through blood transfusion and sexual contact. The danger is for pregnant women.

Brazil, which is grappling with cases of Microcephaly, and Colombia are the countries most affected by the mosquito-borne disease in the Americas. Minister of Health Alejandro Gaviria said that at least 16.000 people have already been already infected with the Zika virus in Colombia, among them more than 500 pregnant women.

Zika has surged through Latin America and has been linked to birth defects in children in the region.

The virus was previous detected in adults who died in June and October of suspected Zika complications, he said. Army Medicine will continue to educate all personnel and beneficiaries about Zika virus and provide updates as they arise.

Three cases of Zika, including one in a patient who is pregnant, have been reported in the District.

Although the virus has not been contracted locally, Armstrong urges Floridians to drain standing water weekly, no matter how little.