Chicago's First Zika Case Confirmed
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Health officials in Chicago have confirmed the city's first case of Zika virus.
A woman in her 30s, who recently returned from Colombia, visited Presence Saint Joseph Hospital in Lakeview in January with flulike symptoms. Blood tests have confirmed she had contracted the Zika virus.
"When she came in, there was a high suspicion she had the Zika virus and we understood that there is no specific treatment. The majority of patients have no symptoms but in general it's similar to many viral infections where you hydrate with fluids and you can take acetaminophen or Tylenol for fever," said Dr. Roberta Luskin-Hawk, president and CEO of Presence St. Joseph Hospital.
"We do not anticipate any long lasting complications with this infection. She is not currently pregnant and does not appear to need any additional medical follow up. There's also no reason to suspect she contracted Zika in Chicago. At no time was anyone at our hospital or people she had casual contact with at any risk of contracting the virus."
Officials say she recovered on her own.
Zika virus is mainly spread by mosquitos not found in the U.S., but also can be spread through sexual contact.
Luskin Hawk said anyone traveling to an area with a Zika should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, including using mosquito repellent whenever they're outside.
"If they are traveling to an area that has an outbreak of Zika, they should use precautions including precautions for daytime mosquitos as well as night time," said Dr. Luskin-Hawk. "These precautions are particularly important if you are pregnant."
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended pregnant women postpone trips to countries with Zika outbreaks – mostly in Latin America and the Caribbean. The CDC also has recommended men use condoms if they have sex with a pregnant woman, for the entire duration of the pregnancy.
The World Health Organization declared the spread of Zika in Central and South America as a global health emergency and international health officials are investigating if Zika infection in pregnant women is linked to an increase in the number of babies born with microcephaly.
"If you're of child bearing age, the risk is only during acute infection. The virus appears to clear the blood stream within a week," said Dr. Luskin-Hawk. "So there is every expectation, even if someone has been infected, the CDC is recommending that they wait possibly 2-3 weeks before getting pregnant."
The virus appears as a mild illness with symptoms including fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.
The woman who contracted Zika has made a full recovery.
Hers was the fifth Zika case in Illinois, but the first in Chicago.
