KDHE

TOPEKA–State health officials say an adult from southwest Kansas has the state’s first confirmed case of the Zika virus.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said in announcing the case Friday the person had traveled to a country which has “local Zika virus transmission.”

The KDHE news release reads: “The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the first person in the state to test positive for Zika virus. The individual is an adult from southwest Kansas and has travel history to a country with local Zika virus transmission. The person subsequently developed an illness consistent with Zika virus infection and was tested per guidance from CDC and KDHE.”

“Kansas is prepared for the Zika virus, and we are working with health care providers across the state to respond to both suspected and confirmed cases,” said Susan Mosier, MD, MBA, FACS, KDHE Secretary and State Health Officer. “I urge everyone who is considering travel to a country with Zika transmission to be aware of the situation and take precautions to protect themselves and prevent mosquito bites.”

Health officials say the virus is mainly transmitted by a specific type of mosquito and most people who get the disease have no symptoms. Others with the Zika virus suffer from fever, rash, joint pain and pink eye.

Investigation are underway whether the virus is linked to birth defects in the children of women who caught the virus while pregnant.

The list of affected areas includes many countries in the Caribbean and South and Central America. The list continues to change and can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/index.html

For more information about Zika virus, visit: http://www.kdheks.gov/zika/index.htm.