Woman Tests Positive for Zika Virus in Chicago, Becomes Illinois' 5th Case

It is believed to be the first known case of Zika virus in Chicago, officials said

Illinois’ fifth case of the Zika virus has been reported in Chicago, officials announced Monday.

A woman tested positive for the virus after traveling to Colombia and returning to the U.S. in late January with what appeared to be a viral infection, Presence Saint Joseph Hospital said during a press conference.

It is believed to be the first known case of Zika virus in Chicago, officials said. The Illinois Department of Public Health said there are currently five confirmed cases in the state. 

The woman. who is not pregnant, sought care from her primary phyisician and was not hospitalized. She has since "made a full recovery," according to Dr. Roberta Luskin-Hawk, president and CEO of the hospital.

"There’s also no reason to suggest that this patient acquired Zika in Chicago," Luskin-Hawk said. "At no time was anyone in our hospital, or doctors' offices or people with whom she had casual contact with at risk of contracting the virus."

Federal health officials have posted Zika travel notices for countries in Central and South America and in the Caribbean. Also: Cape Verde, off the coast of western Africa, and Samoa in the South Pacific.

Most people exposed to Zika, a tropical virus spread by mosquitoes, suffer only mild symptoms. The risk is far greater, however, for pregnant women because of a possible link to a birth defect and neurological problems.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last week it was investigating 14 new reports of sexual transmission of Zika, including several involving pregnant women.

Mosquito bites remain the primary vehicle for Zika transmission but sexual transmission of the virus infection is possible, the CDC said.

The CDC recommends pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where the Zika virus transmission is ongoing.

The IDPH recommends anyone who does travel uses an insect repellent, wears long sleeves and pants, and stays in places with air conditioning or window and door screens.

Symptoms including fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis can last from several days to weeks and there is no vaccine to prevent or treat an infection. 

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