Confirmed Case of Zika Virus in Morgan County - What you need to know

Thursday, 11 February 2016

This is an Alabama Emergency Response Technology (ALERT) Health Alert Network (HAN) message. Zika virus is being transmitted primarily through the bites of Aedes species mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are the same species that transmit dengue and chikungunya viruses. 

There have been recent reports that Zika virus is spread through blood transfusion and sexual contact. Rarely, the virus may spread from mother to child around the time of birth. It also may be possible to spread the virus from a mother to her baby during pregnancy. Healthcare providers should report suspected Zika virus disease cases to the Alabama Department of Public Health to facilitate diagnosis and to mitigate the risk of local transmission. 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. 

All pregnant women with a history of travel to an area with Zika virus transmission should be evaluated. Pregnant women reporting clinical illness consistent with Zika virus disease during or within 2 weeks of travel should be tested for Zika virus infection. In addition, asymptomatic pregnant women who have traveled to Zika-affected areas should be tested for the Zika virus between 2-12 weeks post travel. 

Click here for more information on the Zika virus.