Pregnant Virgin Islands Women Should Seek Immediate Attention If They’re Feeling Sick, DOH Warns

ST. CROIX — Shortly after confirming the first case of Zika virus here —  a tropical disease that may lead to babies being born with abnormally small heads — the Virgin Islands Department of Health’s Territorial Epidemiologist, Dr. Esther Ellis, at a brief press conference this afternoon, said healthcare providers throughout the territory should submit cases to DOH. She also revealed that the department was taking necessary steps to quell the rise of the disease in the territory.

“We are asking healthcare providers to submit suspected cases to the Department of Health using the chik report form via fax to 340 718 1508. The providers have all received this form in advance, as well as detailed instructions. We have conducted training at both hospitals and have been working with providers to identify the symptoms of the Zika Virus,” Dr. Ellis said. “We also want to stress to all pregnant women, to seek medical attention in the event that you are experiencing any symptoms and use all means to prevent mosquito bites.”

According to a press release the Centers for Disease Control issued this week, “Zika virus infection should be considered in patients with acute onset of fever, maculopapular rash, arthralgia or conjunctivitis, who traveled to areas with ongoing transmission in the two weeks prior to illness onset.”

The CDC press release also included information and recommendations about the Zika disease, diagnosis, and prevention, and provided travel guidance for pregnant women and women who are trying to become pregnant.

Out of an abundance of precaution and until more is known, pregnant women should consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who do travel to these areas should talk to their doctors or other healthcare providers first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip. These locations, according to this CDC notices page, include Central America, the Caribbean and South America.

Women trying to become pregnant should consult with their healthcare providers before traveling to these areas and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip, the release added.

DOH says it’s asking healthcare providers to report known cases of Zika to help mitigate the spread of the disease. State health departments are requested to report laboratory-confirmed cases to CDC. CDC is working with states to expand Zika virus laboratory testing capacity, using existing RT-PCR protocols.

Treatment

No specific antiviral treatment is available for Zika virus disease, according to the CDC release. Treatment is generally supportive and can include rest, fluids, and use of analgesics and antipyretics. Because of similar geographic distribution and symptoms, patients with suspected Zika virus infections also should be evaluated and managed for possible dengue or chikungunya virus infection.

Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of hemorrhage. In particular, pregnant women who have a fever should be treated with acetaminophen. People infected with Zika, chikungunya, or dengue virus should be protected from further mosquito exposure during the first few days of illness to reduce the risk of local transmission.

Prevention

No vaccine or preventive drug is available. The best way to prevent Zika virus infection is to:

• Avoid mosquito bites.
• Use air conditioning or window and door screens when indoors.
• Wear long sleeves and pants, and use insect repellents when outdoors. Most repellents, including DEET, can be used on children older than two months. Pregnant and lactating women can use all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents, including DEET, according to the product label.

Recommendations for Health Care Providers and Public Health Practitioners

• Zika virus infection should be considered in patients with acute fever, rash, arthralgia, or conjunctivitis, who traveled to areas with ongoing transmission in the two weeks prior to onset of illness.
• All travelers should take steps to avoid mosquito bites to prevent Zika virus infection and other mosquito-borne diseases
• Until more is known and out of an abundance of caution, pregnant women should consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who do travel to one of these areas should talk to their doctors or other healthcare providers first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip. Women trying to become pregnant should consult with their healthcare providers before traveling to these areas and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip.
• Fetuses and infants of women infected with Zika virus during pregnancy should be evaluated for possible congenital infection and neurologic abnormalities.
• Healthcare providers are encouraged to report suspected Zika virus disease cases to their state or local health department to facilitate diagnosis and to mitigate the risk of local transmission.
• Health departments should perform surveillance for Zika virus disease in returning travelers and be aware of the risk of possible local transmission in areas where Aedes species mosquitoes are active.
• State and Territory health departments are requested to report laboratory-confirmed Zika virus infections to CDC.