Chicago Has Its First Confirmed Case Of The Zika Virus
By Rachel Cromidas in News on Mar 1, 2016 8:48PM
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
A Lakeview hospital has confirmed the first case of the Zika virus in Chicago, hospital officials say.
The unusual virus, which has been linked to birth defects in children born to mothers who have been diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease, has prompted the Center for Disease Control to issue a public health alert, particularly for international travelers. There are been 5 confirmed cases in Illinois so far, according to ABC7. Brazil in particular has been facing a tragic health epidemic in recent months as more and more cases are diagnosed.
Dr. Roberta Luskin-Hawk, of Presence St. Joseph Hospital told ABC7 that a woman in her 30s who recently traveled to Colombia appears to have the virus.
The woman was ill after returning to the U.S. in late January and sought treatment, but her test results only found she is positive for the Zika virus this week. She made a full recovery, the doctor said, and thankfully, "We do not anticipate any long-lasting complications from this infection."
"She's not currently pregnant and does not appear to need any additional medical follow-up," Luskin-Hawk said.