First case of Zika reported in Maryland; health officials expect more
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Version 0 of 1. A Maryland resident has the Zika virus, the first case of the infection reported in the state. The state health department said on Thursday that a resident who recently traveled in a country where the mosquito-transmitted illness is rampant tested positive for the virus after returning home. Brian Lawrence, a spokesman for the health department, declined to say the patient’s age or gender, where in Maryland the patient lives or what the patient’s condition is. He said he did not know whether the health department has contacted close associates of the patient to talk to them about the disease, which can be spread by sexual contact as well as mosquito bite. The primary concern surrounding the virus, which has largely been reported in Latin America, is its link to the birth defect microcephaly. Three cases of Zika, including one in a patient who is pregnant, have been reported in the District. And Maryland public health officials said Thursday that they anticipate more cases in the state. [Three D.C. residents, including pregnant woman, have the Zika virus] Medical personnel in Maryland have sent samples from 17 patients suspected to have the virus to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing. Officials said that so far, two have come back negative, and this is the first positive result. But the rest are still pending. “It is likely that there will be other cases of people who have traveled,” said Howard Haft, the deputy secretary for public health. Officials said the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will post a weekly update online on further Zika cases, including information on whether the person was infected locally or abroad. But Haft also said that “this is not cause for alarm or panic.” He said that the current flu season poses a greater risk to the public. Related news: Two American women who caught Zika abroad suffer miscarriages NIH speeds up plan for human trials of Zika vaccine Graphic: What you need to know about the Zika virus |