A pregnant Spokane woman is the second reported case of the Zika virus in the state, the Washington State Department of Health announced on Monday.
The Spokane woman was pregnant at the time she showed symptoms of a Zika virus infection.
She delivered her baby and the child tested negative for Zika virus.
“Although we can be thankful that mom is symptom-free at this point, and that her baby appears unaffected at this time, this serves as a timely reminder for anyone considering traveling to countries where the virus is circulating to be aware of the risks, and for pregnant women to delay their travel if possible,” said Dr. Joel McCullough, Spokane Regional Health District interim health officer.
The woman, in her 20s, visited an area where Zika transmission is rampant.
"Zika virus can be spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus. The risk factors and frequency for adverse health effects to the baby are still being studied, including microcephaly (abnormally small heads) in infants, and miscarriage. CDC experts still do not know if there is a link between Zika virus and Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare immune disorder that most people recover from," the department of health wrote.
The Spokane woman was tested based on CDC guidance that all pregnant women who traveled to a place with a Zika outbreak during pregnancy receive antibody testing for the virus.
Here's what to know about the first case:
The first case of Zika in the state was confirmed in another traveler in Mason County.
He recently traveled to the South Pacific before returning to Washington, Department of Health Staff said.
Here's what to know about Zika in the US:
Zika virus has been found for years in parts of Asia and Africa.
It then migrated into the Western Hemisphere in May 2015, and the virus has now spread throughout tropical areas of Central and South America and many countries in the Caribbean.
To date, 107 travel-associated Zika virus cases have been reported nationally.
The specific mosquito species known to transmit the virus is not found in northern states, nor are there any confirmed cases of non-travel-acquired, mosquito-borne cases in the U.S.
As knowledge of the link between Zika and birth defects evolves, CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women. In any trimester, they should consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus is spreading.
- If a pregnant woman must travel to one of those areas, she is encouraged to talk to her health care provider first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during the trip.
- Only pregnant women or individuals planning a pregnancy are encouraged to delay their travel if possible.
- Individuals returning to the U.S. from Zika-affected areas who are pregnant or having symptoms of Zika illness should contact their health care provider.
Nearly 80 percent of people infected with the virus will have no symptoms. Most others typically have mild symptoms, such as fever, joint soreness, a rash or red eyes.
There are no vaccines or treatment for the Zika virus.
Otherwise, health officials urge anyone considering travel to countries where the virus is circulating to be aware of the need to protect themselves and others from mosquito bites.
SRHD officials recommend travelers further protect themselves against mosquito bites by:
- Applying EPA-registered insect repellants to skin following label instructions for all-day protection.
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants and closed shoes or boots instead of sandals.
- Using bed nets in locations lacking window screens and/or air conditioning.
- These should reach the floor or be tucked under the mattress.
- Avoiding perfumes, colognes and products with fragrances that might attract mosquitoes.
- Using clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear that contain permethrin.
- Permethrin-treated clothing repels and kills mosquitoes and other pests and retains this effect after repeated washing.
- Some clothing is available pretreated with permethrin; Permethrin should not be used directly on skin.
For updates and other resources specific to Zika visitSRHD's site, DOH's site or CDC's site.
Cox Media Group
