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Ohio Reports New Zika Case
By: WOUB Staff Writer
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A Lucas County woman is the first case of Zika reported in Ohio to be acquired through sexual transmission, according to officials.
The 61-year-old woman’s name was not released in the announcement, which was released by the Ohio Department of Health.
“Her husband traveled to a country with active Zika virus transmission and has tested positive for the virus, becoming Ohio’s 15th travel-associated case,” the release stated.
Officials in Lucas County are “increasing mosquito assessment and control measures in the area” to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, according to the release.
The two new cases bring Ohio’s total of reported cases to 16.
Another 12 cases of Zika acquired through sexual transmission in the United States and the District of Columbia, but no cases locally acquired through bites from infected mosquitoes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Travelers to areas with active Zika virus transmission should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, which is the primary way you can contract the virus,” Dr. Mary DiOrio, medical director of the Ohio Department of Health stated in the release. “When travelers return home, they should follow CDC guidance to prevent sexual transmission of the virus, especially to pregnant women or women or may become pregnant.”
The health commissioner of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Health Department said the agency has been preparing for a situation like this.
“It’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from mosquito bites and control the mosquito population by eliminating standing water, wearing insect repellent along with long sleeves and pants, and have intact screens on doors and windows,” said David Grossman, MD, in the release.
There is no indication that it can spread from person to person through casual contact. 80 percent of infected people do not have symptoms, the release stated. Symptoms that do appear include fever, rash, joint and muscle pain, conjunctivitis and headache.
For more information about the Zika virus including sexual transmission, go to www.odh.ohio.gov.