April 8, 2016

Salt Lake County Woman with Zika Gives Birth to Healthy Baby

SALT LAKE COUNTY—The Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) announced today that a county resident who was infected with Zika virus has given birth to a healthy baby. The woman gave birth in late March; the infant is healthy and has tested negative for Zika.

While she was pregnant, the woman had traveled to an area of the world experiencing active Zika virus transmission; she tested positive for the virus in response to CDC guidance that all pregnant women who have traveled to a place with Zika-carrying mosquitoes should be tested for antibodies to the virus.

Due to medical privacy laws, SLCoHD will not release further information about the woman or her newborn.

This is the second travel-associated Zika virus infection in Utah. The mosquito species responsible for transmission of the virus is not currently present in Utah.

“The outcome of this particular situation is a good one, but it’s a strong reminder that people who are travelling to areas of the world where Zika-carrying mosquitos are present—especially women who are or may become pregnant—need to take proper precautions and protect themselves from mosquitoes,” said Dr. Dagmar Vitek, SLCoHD Medical Officer. “Make an appointment with a travel clinic or your health care provider as soon as you know you’ll be travelling to an affected area.”

Because Zika virus has been found in semen, the CDC also advises the male sexual partners of women of child-bearing age to protect themselves from mosquitoes while travelling.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a list of areas with active Zika transmission at www.cdc.gov/zika/.

Health experts recommend that travelers visit an international travel clinic well in advance of travelling. Appointments at the Salt Lake County Health Department Travel Clinic are available by calling 385-468-4111.

Dr. Vitek will be available for interviews today, April 8, at 4:00 p.m. at the Salt Lake County Government Center, Room S1-120, at 2001 South State Street, Salt Lake City.