Health Officials Confirm 2 Cases Of Zika Virus In North Texas
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM ) - Dallas County Health officials say there are now two cases of the Zika virus in North Texas.
The first patient was infected by having sexual contact with someone who had returned from Venezuela.
The second case was confirmed to have visited Venezuela and contracted the virus, and brought it back to north Texas. Dallas County Health Director Zach Thompson confirmed the second person was the one who infected the first.
This is the first case of Zika virus in the nation in which the person had not traveled out of the country. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Sophia Ansari says it was only a matter of time before Zika made its way to the metroplex.
"We are starting to see more cases, more in Houston. And now this is the first case in Dallas. I do expect to see an increase of the number of cases in the area."
Thompson said the county is being proactive.
"We have already put out information to health care providers regarding those who are returning from these countries where the Zika virus is an epidemic."
Thompson is urging people to remove standing water around homes and to wear mosquito repellent containing DEET when going out.
Recommendations to avoid Zika virus are similar to West Nile virus. North Texas health officials are urging residents to:
- DEET—Use bug spray and protect clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET;
- DRESS—Dress in loose, light- colored clothing with long sleeves and wear long pants;
- DUSK/DAWN—Limit outdoor exposure at dusk and dawn;
- DRAIN—all areas of standing water including changing water in wading pools, birdbaths, and cleaning out gutters
(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)