Clark Co. health officials confirm Zika virus

UPDATE @ 2:39 p.m. (May 4)

The Clark County Combined Health District has confirmed that a Northridge man has Zika that he contracted after traveling to an area affected by the virus.

The man’s illness previously was a suspected case reported by his doctor. The health district continues to work with the physician and the patient to prevent transmission of the disease, local health officials said in a statement. No cases of locally transmitted Zika have been reported in Ohio.

The district also said it will focus on educating the community on preventative measures, monitoring the local mosquito population and reducing the breeding habitat.

Zika is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, according to the health district, and there is no indication that it can spread from person to person through casual contact. It can be spread from partner to partner through sexual transmission.

The primary mosquito that transmits the virus isn’t known to be established in Ohio, the district said. Another species of mosquito that potentially can transmit the virus is in parts of Ohio.

The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Eighty percent of those infected do not have any symptoms.

EARLIER REPORT

A traveler returning home in Clark County has contracted what is believed to be the Zika virus, according to the Clark County Combined Health District.

The individual traveled from a “Zika hot spot” and upon return exhibited a rash and other symptoms consistent with Zika, according to Clark County Health Commissioner Charlie Patterson.

“It was almost like someone was reading off the poster in the airport for Zika,” he said.

The patient’s physician contacted the health department, which is running tests to confirm the virus. Results will take up to three weeks.

“We really need to treat this as if it’s positive right now. We can’t wait for results. This is the contagious period,” Patterson said.

The main concern at this point is making sure a mosquito doesn’t pick up the virus, Patterson said. His office is working with the patient to keep him or her quarantined. Health workers canvassed the neighborhood today to speak to neighbors about keeping down the mosquito population.

Working with the Ohio Department of Health, Patterson’s office is trapping mosquitoes and may consider spraying if the type of mosquito that carries Zika is found.

Patterson said this is the first suspected case of Zika in Clark County and the third in Ohio this year. There were 95 last year, he said, 94 of which were contracted overseas and one was transmitted through sexual contact. None were contracted from infected mosquitoes.

Zika virus symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. The virus is typically mild and goes away within a week, according to the health district.

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