Pregnant EP woman tests positive for Zika after travelling to South America

A pregnant El Paso woman in her mid-30s tested positive for the Zika virus after traveling to South America, the Department of Public Health (DPH) announced Tuesday.

This is the third “travel-related” Zika case in El Paso.

Health department officials are encouraging anyone traveling to Zika-affected regions, including certain areas of Florida, to take strict precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes. Since Zika can also be transmitted sexually , the DPH says anyone who travels to a Zika-affected area should either abstain from sexual activity, or use condoms correctly and consistently.

Men with possible Zika virus exposure should wait at least 6 months from symptom onset or last possible exposure before attempting conception with their partner. They should also wait at least 6 months before having unprotected sex to minimize their risk for sexual transmission of Zika virus to partners.

Women with possible Zika virus exposure are recommended to wait to conceive until at least 8 weeks after symptom onset or last possible Zika virus exposure.

To protect the unborn fetus from possible birth defects, such as microcephaly, persons who have traveled to or lived in an area with active Zika virus transmission, and whose partner is pregnant, should consistently and correctly use condoms during sex or abstain from sex for the duration of the pregnancy.

Common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes), lasting from several days to one week, officials said. An infected patient’s blood can remain infectious to mosquitoes for up to two weeks.

The following prevention methods are highly encouraged to prevent many mosquito-borne diseases including Zika and West Nile virus:

Apply EPA-approved insect repellent. Wear pants and long-sleeve shirts that cover exposed skin. In warmer weather, wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers exposed skin. Use screens or close windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of your home. “Tip and Toss” – Remove standing water in and around the home. This includes water in cans, toys, tires, plant saucers, and any container that can hold water. Cover trash cans or containers where water can collect. To avoid infecting local mosquitoes, people who travel to areas with active Zika transmission take steps to prevent mosquito bites for at least three weeks after they return to Texas – and longer if they develop an illness that could be Zika. To report standing water or other mosquito breeding sites, please call 3-1-1.