Woman tests positive for Zika virus at Chicago North Side hospital

The Pennsylvania Department of Health recently issued this Health Advisory on Zika, which notes that all suspected cases of the infection should be reported to state officials.

The fifth case of the Zika virus in IL has been reported at a Chicago hospital.

“If you live in Philadelphia and you’re not going to travel to any of these areas, there’s really no risk”, Dr. Kathleen Squires, director of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s Division of Infectious Diseases explained to PhillyVoice.

The patient was tested because she recently traveled to Colombia, and had symptoms consistent with the Zika virus.

“We do not anticipate any lasting complications from this infection; she is not now pregnant and does not appear to need any additional medical follow-up”, Luskin-Hawk said.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health announced the city’s first case of Zika virus on Monday. “At no time was anyone in our hospital, or doctors’ offices or people with whom she had casual contact with at risk of contracting the virus”.

The Zika virus is most commonly transmitted from the bite of a mosquito, and many people infected do not get sick. While scientists have seen a possible correlation between the virus and severe birth defects, such as microcephaly, researchers have yet to confirm a link.