Grant County man tests positive for Zika after trip to Mexico

GRANT COUNTY — A man from Grant County reportedly tested positive for Zika virus after returning home from Mexico in early August.

According to a prepared statement from the Grant County Health District, the man was “likely” exposed to Zika during his trip to Mexico, as the country has been known to have mosquitoes that are infected with the virus. The man, whose identity and city of residence were not released, was not hospitalized and has since recovered from the infection. There have been 22 Zika related cases in Washington, all of which were associated with travel, but the man’s infection is the first for a Grant County resident.

Zika does not currently pose a risk to the public, according to the health district. The virus is usually spread from the bite of infected mosquitoes or through sexual contact with a recently infected person. The virus can also spread from a mother to a fetus and through blood transfusions.

“Only one in five infected people will have any symptoms, which include fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. The illness is usually mild and can last a few days to a week. Symptoms typically begin two to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito,” stated the health district in a release. “Many people who get Zika have no symptoms at all. Zika is also linked to Guillan-Barre Syndrome, a problem marked by muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.”

Zika is linked to a serious birth defect in newborn babies called microcephaly, which causes an abnormally small brain and skull. Pregnant women in any trimester are encouraged to consider postponing travel to areas where Zika is prevalent. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states the virus is most prevalent in Central and South American countries.

The health district encourages people to take the following step during trips to Zika infected areas:

Apply Environmental Protection Agency registered insect repellent.

Wear long sleeve shirts, pants and closed toed shoes.

Use bed nets.

Avoid wearing perfume.

Wear Permethrin-treated clothing.

Despite there not being a big risk of contracting Zika in Grant County, the GCHD encourages residents to avoid mosquito bites if at all possible. With West Nile Virus being detected in the county for over a decade, people are urged to use effective mosquito repellents while outdoors and to eliminate standing water sources around their homes.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.