First case of Zika virus identified in Philadelphia resident

There have been dozens of cases reported across the USA but this is the first case in Chicago and the fifth known case in IL. The New Jersey Department of Health recently reported that a women who contracted the virus in Colombia became ill while visiting Bergen County in November.

The woman visited her primary care doctor at a Presence Health office in Chicago in late January with symptoms of a viral infection, CEO of Presence Saint Joseph Hospital Dr. Robert Luskin-Hawk said at a press conference Monday morning.

The patient’s physician arranged for blood tests for a variety of illnesses, including Zika virus.

Health officials confirmed new cases of the zika virus in South Florida.

“We do not anticipate any long-lasting complications of this infection”.

Since the virus can be sexually transmitted, partners of pregnant women should take extra precautions and consult the CDC’s recommendations to prevent sexual transmission of the disease. While scientists have seen a possible correlation between the virus and severe birth defects, such as microcephaly, researchers have yet to confirm a link. The patient had recently traveled to Colombia, which is experiencing a significant outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus.

Luskin-Hawk stressed that the overwhelming majority of people who have Zika show no symptoms and make full recoveries.