Hays County Update on Zika Virus

As of February 5, 2016, Hays County does not have any reports of persons with Zika virus.

 

The Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department (A/TCHHSD) confirmed on February 4 the first positive case of Zika virus in Travis County. The person, a male under the age of 50, contracted the illness while travelling to Colombia.

 

Dallas County received confirmation this week of a patient who developed Zika virus after sexual contact with an infected traveler. This is the only case of locally transmitted Zika virus infection that has been identified in the continental United States at this time. The CDC will issue guidance soon on prevention of sexual transmission of Zika.

 

The mosquito that carries Zika is native to Central Texas. The Zika virus has been declared an emerging public health threat by the World Health Organization. Zika virus was first isolated in a Ugandan monkey in 1947. In 2007 the first outbreak occurred in Micronesia. Since 2011 there have been lab-confirmed Zika cases in returning travelers from areas with local transmission.

 

Zika virus is transmitted to persons primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito (Aedes species), which are aggressive daytime biters and are located near populated areas. Aedes mosquitos are also capable of transmitting dengue and chikungunya.

 

Preventative measures residents can take to avoid mosquito bites include:

 

Draining any water around their property (mosquitos can breed in as little as a Bottle cap full of water),

 

Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants and

 

Using EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin or oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, and follow directions closely

 

 

In Brazil, Zika virus infections have been identified in several infants born with microcephaly. On January 22, 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted interim guidelines for health care providers in the United States caring for pregnant women during a Zika virus outbreak. CDC is recommending that all pregnant women consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. A link to the guidance can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6502e1.htm

 

The Hays County epidemiologist has alerted local health care providers and partner organizations to be aware of Zika as they see patients and to ask about travel history. The County works with providers to help them assess the need for laboratory testing and facilitate testing from the Centers for Disease Control as needed. Right now, human testing for Zika in Texas can only be done through the Centers for Disease Control. Within weeks, the State Health Department lab in Austin is planning to test for the virus.

 

Hays County encourages people to follow travel precautions and avoid mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is typically mild and resolves within one week.

 

Zika infection in pregnant women may be associated with congenital microcephaly and fetal loss. Guillain-Barre syndrome has also been reported in patients after suspected Zika infection. Persons with suspected infections should also be evaluated and managed for possible dengue and chikungunya virus. Aspirin and other NSAID’s should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of hemorrhage.

 

Mosquito activity is low during our coldest months. Beginning May 2, the Hays County mosquito management program begins collecting, testing, and treating mosquito breeding areas throughout Hays County.

 

Additional information can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/zika/