PORT ANGELES — Health officials have confirmed a Zika virus infection in a Clallam County resident, the third such diagnosis in the state.
The young woman, who was not identified, had recently traveled to a region of Central America where Zika transmission is occurring, Clallam County Health and Human Services officials said.
She has recovered from the illness without complications, they said.
There have been no Zika cases in Jefferson County, said Dr. Christopher Frank, Clallam County health officer, on Thursday.
The mosquito-borne virus causes no more than a mild illness in most people but has been linked to birth defects.
“In Washington, we are fortunate that we don’t have the species of mosquito that transmits the Zika virus, so a widespread outbreak is very unlikely,” Frank said.
May not show symptoms
About 80 percent of those infected never show symptoms of the disease, while about 1 in 5 will have mild symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes that last a few days to a week.
For pregnant women, Zika infection has been linked to microcephaly, a serious birth defect of the brain.
Delay travel
“For pregnant women or women who may become pregnant, this is an important reminder to consider delaying travel to regions with Zika,” Frank said.
Regions with Zika include the Caribbean, South America, Central America and the Pacific Islands.
The Clallam County Zika case was confirmed Wednesday by the county health department, state Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC.
The first case in Washington — confirmed Feb. 22 — was a Mason County man in his 20s who had recently traveled to the South Pacific.
The second case was a Spokane woman who followed CDC guidance that pregnant woman who had traveled to areas with Zika activity be checked for the virus.
The CDC recommends that pregnant women consider delaying travel to areas with Zika.
If pregnant women must travel to regions with Zika activity, they should follow steps to prevent mosquito bites, the CDC recommends.
Men returning from an area with Zika who have or could have a pregnant partner should use a condom during sex or not have sex during pregnancy, officials said.
The state Department of Health recommends persons traveling to areas with Zika protect themselves against mosquito bites by:
■ Applying insect repellents to skin following label instructions.
■ Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants and closed shoes or boots instead of sandals.
■ Using bed nets in remote locations lacking window screens and/or air conditioning. These should reach the floor or be tucked under the mattress.
■ Avoiding perfumes, colognes and products with fragrances that might attract mosquitoes.
■ Using clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear that contain permethrin. Permethrin repels and kills mosquitoes and other pests and retains this effect after repeated washing.
The CDC keeps an updated list and travel recommendations at http://www.cdc.gov/zika.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
