Daily Sitka Sentinel

SEARHC Zika Diagnosis First to Be Made in Alaska

By SHANNON HAUGLAND

and The Associated Press

An out-of-state man who had traveled recently to Nicaragua sought treatment at SEARHC Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital and tested positive Thursday for the Zika virus, SEARHC officials said.

It was the first positive Zika test in Alaska, officials at the state Department of Health and Social Services said.

The patient, who was in Alaska for work, has since returned to his home in the Midwest, the Division of Public Health said.

Dawnell Smith, a spokeswoman with DHSS, said a blood specimen was collected from the man at a “Southeast Alaska clinic” July 18 while he was sick. Officials said the man contracted the virus in Nicaragua earlier this month.

Smith said she doesn’t know the man’s hometown.

The virus causes only a mild illness in most people, but a woman infected while pregnant may give birth to a child with severe brain-related birth defects.

The state epidemiologist said the patient here had symptoms of feverishness and chills, a full body rash and conjunctivitis when he went in to SEARHC.

“The astute clinician obtained a travel history, and felt the signs and symptoms were compatible with Zika,” said Dr. Joe McLaughlin, the state epidemiologist. The clinician obtained a clinical specimen, sent it to the state lab in Anchorage and the specimen tested positive for Zika on Thursday.

SEARHC officials said they issued a public statement about the Zika diagnosis “in the spirit of patient safety and complete transparency,” and to inform the community.

“The patient has returned home, and there is no chance the virus can affect the Sitka community,” said spokeswoman Stacy Smith at Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital. “MEH staff have thoroughly disinfected the very limited area of the hospital in which the patient was treated and have taken all infection control precautions necessary to secure patient safety and environment of care for all staff and patients.”

The Zika virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, SEARHC said. Those infected can transmit it to others only through sexual activity or intravenous drug use. A diagnosis of Zika is based on a combination of recent travel history, symptoms and test results.

“SEARHC followed all procedures for such an event, and there is no risk to those working or receiving care at Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital. SEARHC is committed to providing the best health care possible for our communities, and patient safety is of utmost importance,” SEARHC said.

Alaska mosquitoes are not capable of transmitting the Zika virus, health officials said.

“This case is not a concern in terms of the virus spreading through Alaska mosquitoes, but it does reinforce the importance of knowing preventative measures,” Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer and Director of Public Health, said in a prepared statement. “The two-fold foundation for preventing Zika infection is avoiding mosquitoes and using repellents when traveling to areas where Zika is transmitted, and protecting yourself  during sex by either abstaining when a partner is possibly infected with Zika, or by consistently and correctly using condoms.”

McLaughlin added, “This case is a reminder for anybody traveling to Central America, South America or the Caribbean that Zika is actively circulating in those areas. If people are going to those areas they should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.” That includes using bug repellent, mosquito netting and permethrin, an insecticide that is sprayed on clothing, he said.

More information about the Zika virus is available at http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/Zika.aspx or https://www.cdc.gov/zika/.