Clark County confirmed its first reported case of the Zika virus, but public health officials advised the case does not pose a risk to the public.
A Clark County woman in her 60s contracted the disease while traveling to Central America, according to a Wednesday news release from Clark County Public Health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that travelers in that region can risk exposure to Zika.
The virus can be transmitted by mosquito bites or sexually. However, the types of mosquitoes that carry the virus — Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus — are not found in the Pacific Northwest.
“The basic message is the risk of acquiring it other than sexual transmission in Clark County is zero,” Public Health Director Dr. Alan Melnick said.
Zika infection poses the worst risk to pregnant women, as the virus is linked to microcephaly in newborns, which causes babies to have an abnormally small brain and skull.
But most people who catch Zika will have no symptoms at all. For others who are infected, symptoms are generally mild, including fever, rash, joint pain and redness of the eyes.
Melnick warns that pregnant women should avoid traveling to Zika-affected areas, and anyone who does travel to areas where the virus is spreading should take precautions to prevent the infection. Travelers to areas with Zika should use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellents, wear long sleeved shirts and pants, and stay in places with air conditioning and screens.
Another 25 cases of Zika virus have been reported statewide. The CDC reports there were 1,962 cases nationwide as of Aug. 10.
Melnick advised that the risk of Washingtonians contracting the disease locally is insignificant.
“Of all the cases we’ve had in Washington, all have been acquired from outside the country,” he said.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to the Zika virus should consult a healthcare provider. Clark County Public Health is facilitating testing at public health labs, but does not recommend testing for people who are not showing symptoms, including women who are not pregnant.
