King County Public Health reports first confirmed case of Zika virus

Published 11:52 am Wednesday, May 4, 2016

King County’s first case of Zika infection was reported Wednesday, May 4.

The illness was identified in a man in his 40s who had recently been in Colombia, where Zika virus is spreading actively; Colombia is on the list of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) travel advisories.

This is the third case of Zika in Washington state. All three cases were found in people who became infected while in countries that have current Zika outbreaks. This case does not pose a risk to the public, state officials say.

With ongoing widespread outbreaks in the Americas and the Caribbean including Puerto Rico, the number of Zika cases among travelers visiting or returning to King County and elsewhere in the mainland United States will likely increase.

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, or less commonly, through sexual contact with a recently infected man. The types of mosquitoes that transmit Zika are not found in the Pacific Northwest so local health officials do not expect Zika virus to spread.

Symptoms of Zika are generally mild and include fever, rash, joint pain and redness of the eyes. Symptoms typically begin two to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Many people who get Zika have no symptoms at all. There is no vaccine to prevent infection or medicine to treat Zika.

Zika infection is a very serious concern for pregnant women because of its link with a birth defect in newborns called microcephaly, an abnormally small brain and skull. The virus is also linked to Guillan-Barré Syndrome, a problem marked by muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.

The CDC has determined that Zika can also be spread by an infected man to his sexual partners, even when he does not have symptoms or know that he is infected. It’s important for men who have traveled to an area with Zika to follow CDC’s guidance to prevent sexual transmission of Zika, even if they don’t feel sick.

Zika response in King County

Communicable disease experts at Public Health – Seattle & King County have been working with local health care providers to identify and evaluate potential Zika infections. To date, over 180 patients in the county have had blood samples sent to the CDC for Zika testing. The test reported today is the first to confirm Zika infection in a King County resident.

Local health departments will continue to play a critical role in Zika response: Tracking and monitoring for any additional cases; updating the public and health care providers with the latest information; and coordinating with the clinical health care system.

“Zika is a serious risk for pregnant women who travel to areas where outbreaks are occurring and who have sex partners who have traveled to these areas,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Women who are pregnant should avoid travel to Zika-affected areas if possible and both women and men who do travel to areas where the Zika virus is spreading should take precautions to prevent infection from this virus.”

Zika virus prevention for pregnant women and women who may become pregnant

Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to areas in which Zika virus is spreading. Those who do travel to these areas should talk to their health care providers first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites.

Pregnant women who have recently traveled to an area with Zika should talk to a health care provider about their travel even if they don’t feel sick.

Men who have traveled to Zika-affected areas should take precautions when having sex with pregnant women or women who may become pregnant (see below).

Sexual transmission of Zika

Couples with men who live in or travel to areas with Zika can prevent the spread of Zika by using condoms every time they have sex, or by not having sex. To be effective, condoms must be used consistently and correctly. CDC has more information about preventing sexual transmission of Zika.

For more information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/zika and www.publichealthinsider.com.