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First Zika case confirmed in Queensland woman who returned from El Salvador Woman and child in Queensland confirmed as having Zika virus
(about 7 hours later)
Queensland has confirmed its first case of Zika as the globe deals with the threat posed by the virus. Two people – including a child – have tested positive for Zika in Queensland as authorities around the world scramble to deal with the threat posed by the virus.
A woman is recovering from Zika on the Gold Coast after returning from El Salvador in Central America where the mosquito-borne virus is spreading quickly. The child was diagnosed after presenting to a Brisbane hospital with symptoms following a family trip to Samoa.
“She has been discharged from hospital and there is no risk to her, her family or the general public from the virus,” a Queensland Health spokesman said. It was the second case confirmed within 24 hours, with a woman diagnosed with Zika on the Gold Coast after returning from El Salvador in Central America where the virus is spreading.
Queensland recorded three Zika cases last year, down from seven the previous year.
The latest case comes after a Western Australian adult was diagnosed with the virus after recently returning from Central America.
It also comes two days after health experts met in Queensland to ensure the state could respond to any potential outbreak of the virus.
Related: Western Australian adult diagnosed with Zika virus, state's second-ever caseRelated: Western Australian adult diagnosed with Zika virus, state's second-ever case
Enhanced testing for Zika in Townsville was among the measures announced after the meeting. The woman first saw a GP in mid-December and was told she had a Flavivirus, which includes dengue, yellow fever and Zika.
Although 11 Zika cases have been recorded in Queensland since 2014, there has been no local transmission of the virus. However she became ill again and recently presented to a Gold Coast Hospital, which ran further tests that confirmed she had Zika.
The virus is transmitted to humans through the bites of infectious Aedes mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti, the same species that transmits dengue in north Queensland. Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young said southeast Queensland was not at risk of Zika, despite two cases being confirmed in the region.
This is because the virus is predominantly transmitted to humans through the bites of infectious Aedes mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti, the same species that transmits dengue in north Queensland.
The two people infected have not travelled to north Queensland.
“I’m very confident that the two people we’ve just confirmed ... are no risk to anyone,” Young said.
Health minister Cameron Dick said the cases showed the state’s Zika detection systems were working and it was likely more Queenslanders would be infected.
“I expect that there will be more positive tests in Queensland – we need to be ready for that,” he said.
Dick said enhanced testing for Zika in Townsville, where the mosquitoes that can carry the virus are found, would begin on 1 March.
He has also asked the health department to accelerate a $1m education campaign highlighting the risks of Zika.
Queensland recorded three Zika cases last year, down from seven the previous year.
Dick said all of those people were infected while overseas, and the virus had not taken hold in mosquitoes in north Queensland.
Those infected with Zika are most at risk of spreading the virus in the seven days after infection.
Related: Zika virus: first case contracted in US was sexually transmitted, say officials
They are told not to travel to north Queensland where a mosquito could bite them and begin transmitting the virus.
Any north Queenslanders who became infected would be told to stay in air-conditioned rooms that mosquitoes couldn’t access, Young said.
Most infected people have no symptoms or experience only a mild illness but the virus has been linked to microcephaly, a neurological disorder in which infants are born with undersized heads.Most infected people have no symptoms or experience only a mild illness but the virus has been linked to microcephaly, a neurological disorder in which infants are born with undersized heads.
Brazil has reported nearly 4000 suspected cases of microcephaly.Brazil has reported nearly 4000 suspected cases of microcephaly.
Queensland’s chief health officer, Dr Jeanette Young, has urged pregnant Queensland women not to travel to places where there have been Zika outbreaks. Young has urged pregnant Queensland women not to travel to places where there have been Zika outbreaks.