Upload
wabe-901fm
View
253
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Georgia Department of Public Health released a statement on the first travel-related Zika case in the state.
Citation preview
We Protect Lives.
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:
February 03, 2016 Nancy Nydam
(404) 657-2462
First Travel-Related Zika Case Confirmed In Georgia
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is confirming the first travel-
related case of Zika virus in Georgia. Testing was done by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. The non-pregnant individual traveled to Colombia between the end of December
and the first of January and has made a full recovery. Tests are still being done on specimens
from several other Georgia residents with travel history to areas where Zika virus outbreaks are
ongoing.
“It is extremely important that individuals who have traveled to countries where there are on-
going Zika virus outbreaks keep guard against additional mosquito bites,” said Cherie Drenzek,
D.V.M, state epidemiologist for DPH. “During the first week or so of infection, Zika virus can be
passed from an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites. An infected
mosquito can then transmit the virus to other people.”
DPH cautions travelers, especially women who are pregnant, headed to countries where Zika
virus transmission is ongoing: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti,
Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, among others. The complete list of Zika affected
countries can be found at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information.
There are urgent concerns about Zika virus infection and pregnant women. Zika virus infections
have been confirmed in infants with microcephaly and in the current outbreak in Brazil, a
marked increase in the number of infants born with microcephaly has been reported. Pregnant
women or women trying to get pregnant should not travel to areas where Zika virus
transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who have traveled to these areas should consult their
physician immediately. Health care providers should ask all pregnant women about recent
travel.
Zika virus is primarily spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of
Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually
Georgia Department of Public Health | We Protect Lives.
mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring
hospitalization is uncommon. Most people infected with Zika virus never know they are sick.
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika. Travelers should check CDC
travel advisories for their destinations and take precautions to protect themselves from
mosquitos:
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus
(OLE), or IR3535 (use as directed)
Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents)
Stay and sleep in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms
The number of Zika cases among travelers visiting or returning to the United States will likely
increase. These imported cases could result in local spread of the virus in some areas of the
country, including Georgia.
For more information about Zika virus and current travel advisories, visit dph.georgia.gov or
cdc.gov/zika.
###
About the Georgia Department of Public Health The Georgia Department of Public Health is the lead agency in preventing disease, injury and
disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters from a
health perspective. In 2011, the General Assembly restored DPH to its own state agency after
more than 30 years of consolidation with other departments. At the state level, DPH functions
through numerous divisions, sections, programs and offices. Locally, DPH funds and
collaborates with Georgia's 159 county health departments and 18 public health districts.
Through the changes, the mission has remained constant – to protect the lives of all Georgians.
Today, DPH’s main functions include: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Maternal and
Child Health, Infectious Disease and Immunization, Environmental Health, Epidemiology,
Emergency Preparedness and Response, Emergency Medical Services, Pharmacy, Nursing,
Volunteer Health Care, the Office of Health Equity, Vital Records, and the State Public Health
Laboratory. For more information about DPH, visit www.dph.ga.gov.