First Case Of Zika Virus Confirmed On St. Croix, Health Officials Say

ST. CROIX — Officials from the Department of Health confirmed this morning the first case of the Zika virus — a tropical disease that may lead to babies being born with abnormally small heads — on St. Croix.

A press conference was held at twelve noon today at the Charles Harwood Memorial Hospital, where Dr. Esther Ellis, territorial epidemiologist, spoke on DOH’s plans to contain the disease, and prevention measures residents should take.

According to DOH, the person infected, is a 42-year-old woman with no history of previous travel during the incubation period of the virus.

Zika virus, originally identified in 1947 from Zika forest of Uganda, is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. These mosquitoes are found throughout tropical regions of the world and are the same mosquitoes that spread dengue and Chikungunya viruses. Mosquitoes become infected with the Zika virus when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites, and there is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika virus infection.

The CDC has issued a travel notice advising people traveling to the territory and Puerto Rico to take usual precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites to reduce their risk of infection with Zika virus and other mosquito-borne viruses, such as dengue and Chikungunya, according to the release. These steps include wearing insect repellent, using air conditioning or window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside, wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts when possible, and emptying standing water inside and outside the home.

Outbreaks of Zika have occurred in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Because theAedes species mosquitoes that spread Zika virus are found throughout the world, it is likely that outbreaks will spread to new countries. To date, Zika virus has been reported in several countries and territories in the Americas. But in 2015 the disease made the leap to the Western Hemisphere, affecting more than a million people in Brazil. It’s since spread to Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, and nine other countries, according to VOX Media. Brazil is also investigating the possible association between Zika virus infection and cases of microcephaly (smaller than expected head size) in infants. 

The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Infection is thought to provide lifelong immunity. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon. Deaths are rare. Travelers returning from areas with Zika activity should seek medical care if they experience a fever and symptoms of infection. Healthcare providers in areas with reported cases should be on the alert for possible cases.

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