2 Zika Virus Cases Confirmed In Pa., 1 In Del.
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- State health authorities say two female Pennsylvania residents have tested positive for the Zika virus, as well as one in Delaware. Officials say all three cases are travel related and that the virus was not contracted in the United States.
Health officials emphasize that there is no public threat here. Pennsylvania health officials say the state's two cases were very mild and that the two women have recovered.
The Zika virus is spread by mosquitoes, and is widespread in central and South America and the Caribbean. The World Health Organization has declared the Zika outbreak a global health emergency.
Zika can cause flu like symptoms, but most people don't realize they're infected. The big concern with Zika is for pregnant woman because it can cause birth defects, such as babies being born with small heads.
#Zika virus also in Pa. First Positive Cases of Zika Virus Confirmed in Two Pennsylvanians who Traveled to Affected Countries @CBSPhilly
— Stephanie Stahl (@StahlCBS3) February 9, 2016
"Anything which has a potential life threatening effect on our unborn babies is a major concern and we need to take it seriously, but I don't think it's time to panic," said Dr. Owan Montgomery, the Chairman of obstetrician and gynecology at Hahnemann University Hospital.
Montgomery also says there are no vaccines or medications yet available to treat the Zika virus.
"A woman who's pregnant, who contracts the virus, can get an infection to the fetus in any trimester, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd," said Montgomery.
The cases of the Zika virus in the United States are all travel related and contracted outside the country, except one case in Texas, where it was spread by sexual contact. The U.N health agency estimated 3 to 4 million cases of Zika in Latin America in the next year. Experts say it's just a matter of time before it spreads more widely in the United States. However, it's not expected to be as serious here primarily because we have better mosquito control.
#Zika virus confirmed in Delaware, it's travel related @Delaware_DHSS @CBSPhilly The first Zika case in Delaware, an unidentified woman.
— Stephanie Stahl (@StahlCBS3) February 9, 2016
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