SALT LAKE COUNTY, April 8, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — A Salt Lake County woman who tested positive for the Zika virus while pregnant has given birth to a healthy baby who tested negative for the virus.
On Friday, the Salt Lake County Department of Health announced the the birth, which happened in late March. In the past year, a strong link has been established between Zika virus infection during pregnancy and serious birth defects, including microcephany.
“While she was pregnant, the woman had traveled to an area of the world experiencing active Zika virus transmission,” a Salt Lake County Health Department statement said.
“She tested positive for the virus in response to CDC guidance that all pregnant women who have traveled to a place with Zika-carrying mosquitoes should be tested for antibodies to the virus.”
Due to privacy rules, no further information will be released about the woman or her baby.
Dr. Dagmar Vitek, SLCoHD medical officer, said this is the second case of travel-related Zika virus in Utah. The variety of mosquitoes that carry the virus are not native to Utah, and can’t survive Utah’s cold winters.
“The outcome of this particular situation is a good one, but it’s a strong reminder that people who are travelling to areas of the world where Zika-carrying mosquitoes are present — especially women who are or may become pregnant — need to take proper precautions and protect themselves from mosquitoes,” Vitek said.
“Make an appointment with a travel clinic or your health care provider as soon as you know you’ll be travelling to an affected area.”
Because Zika virus has been found in semen, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention advises the male sexual partners of women of child-bearing age to protect themselves from mosquitoes while travelling.
The CDC maintains a list of areas with active Zika transmission at www.cdc.gov/zika/.
